Kevin Mitchell’s report from Roland Garros:
Andy Murray beats Stan Wawrinka to reach French Open final – as it happened
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Andy Murray reached his first French Open final by thumping the defending champion 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
Updated
Fri 3 Jun 2016 12.06 EDT
First published on Fri 3 Jun 2016 08.43 EDT
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In the Eurosport studio, they’re calling this Andy Murray’s best ever performance on clay. It was some effort to beat the defending champion and although he lost the third set, the reality is Murray thrashed Stan Wawrinka today to reach the final Sunday at Roland Garros for the first time, dismantling him the quality, intelligence and consistency of his tennis. All he’s got to do now is beat Novak Djokovic in the final. Ah. Thanks for reading and emailing. Bye!
Andy Murray speaks. “I knew today if I wanted to win i was going to have to play one of my best claycourt matches,” he says. “He was playing better every match here. I played one of my best matches here and I’m looking forward to the final now. I’m extremely proud. I never expected to reach the final here. I always struggled on the clay and in the last two years I’ve had some great results.” His voice is wobbling a bit here. I think he’s trying not to cry.
Andy Murray beats Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2!
Serving for the match, Murray grabs the first point, charging the net and watching as a blocked return from Wawrinka drifts wide. He moves into a 30-0 lead with a forehand winner and earns three matches points when a crisp forehand into the corner forces a scampering Wawrinka to chip long. One more point. That’s all he needs. One more point. One more point! He approaches the net and he looks like he’s in trouble with the ball on Wawrinka’s backhand. But Wawrinka’s had enough. He’s checked out mentally. He more or less tees Murray up with an awful lob and it’s all over with a simple smash! That’s it! Andy Murray has reached his first French Open final after a superb performance to knock out the defending champion!
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 5-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka’s heading for trouble when he drops the first two points of this game. Murray skims the line with a lengthy backhand, before Wawrinka nets an off-balance forehand for 0-30. Another forehand into the net presents Murray with three break points and these are effectively match points. Wawrinka saves the first but he sends a forehand into orbit on the second. Murray, the more consistent player, breaks and will serve for a place in the final.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 4-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray starts this game messily, setting Wawrinka up for a smash for 0-15 with a poor smash and a poor lob. He doesn’t want to give Wawrinka an inch. And he’s lucky that he doesn’t get punished for an inviting second serve, Wawrinka spanking a forehand long for 15-all. From there, Murray serve-volleys for 30-15. It’s 30-all when Murray surprisingly nets a backhand down the line with Wawrinka stranded; 40-30 when Wawrinka nets a forehand and Murray holds with a pinpoint forehand down the line.
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 3-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka hits the tape twice in this game - and still holds to love. There’s life in this one yet.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 3-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray makes it 30-0 with another preposterous drop shot before making it 40-0 with some precise tennis. He holds to 15. Three more of those and he’ll be in the final.
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 2-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all. What Murray would give to break again here and he earns a break point with an astonishing, spinning, teasing, snaking drop shot. He can’t convert it, though, Wawrinka overwhelming him and forcing an error for deuce. Murray carves out another opportunity with a stunning lob but he steers a backhand wide off a second serve. Eventually Wawrinka holds with a searing forehand. Murray’s still got a job to finish off.
Fourth set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 2-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray consolidates the break. He holds to 15 but it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Wawrinka is still hitting the ball venomously. “The crowd seem, if not anti-Murray, then certainly pro-Wawrinka,” says Simon McMahon.” No doubt it will be the same on Sunday should Andy make the final. Not that he cares, but he’ll never be the darling of the crowd wherever he goes I expect.”
Fourth set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Desperate to shake that loss of concentration out of his system, Murray is roaring after winning an immense rally for a 0-30 lead at the start of the fourth set. Wawrinka follows that up gifting him three break points with a wayward backhand. Yet Murray can’t take the first two. Wawrinka finds his serve again. But not for long. Murray trades shots from the baseline and Wawrinka blinks first, losing focus and sending a forehand too long. Another twist.
Stan Wawrinka wins the third set 6-4; Andy Murray leads 6-4, 6-2, 4-6!
A huge slice of luck for Wawrinka on the first point as a return skims the line, making it difficult for Murray. Wawrinka wins it with a smash for 0-15 and Murray needs to be careful here. The next point is tense. Murray’s drop shot is a touch long. But Wawrinka slices past the baseline to make it 15-all. “Let’s go!” Murray shouts after winning the next point as well, grinding out a lengthy rally for 30-15. He gets to 40-15. But then he nets two forehands to make it deuce - and Wawrinka is two points away from forcing a third set. Make that one. Murray gifts Wawrinka a set point with a sloppy forehand. Murray should save it. But he’s Murray. He directs a smash straight at Wawrinka. Then he nets a backhand. Oh dear. We’re heading into a fourth set. Never simple.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray gets a little too excited on the first point, putting too much behind a forehand that zooms past the baseline. “Allez!” cries Wawrinka, who might just be remembering that he won this bloody thing last year. He holds to 15 and Murray will serve to stay in the third set.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 4-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray chirps as he generates absurd speed on a forehand for a 40-15 lead. He holds thanks to more solid serving.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 3-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka pours some frustration into an enormous forehand winner for 15-0. Soon it’s 30-0. Then Murray manages to whip a forehand past Wawrinka despite colliding with a sign behind the baseline. Wawrinka applauds, before making it 30-all with a wayward forehand. He badly needs to win this point; he snatches it with a gorgeous, wrongfooting backhand down the line for 40-30 and he holds to 30.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray is yet to lose a point on his first serve in this set. He holds to love.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka is definitely improving. He’s hitting the spot more with his first serve now and it’s bringing him some free points. He holds to 15.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka has won from two sets down before. He’s done it six times overall, four times at Roland Garros. But not since beating Richard Gasquet 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6 here in 2013. As for this game, Murray holds to love.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 1-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka was broken at this point in both of the first two sets. Does lightning strike thrice? A crisp backhand return from Murray forces an error from Wawrinka for 0-15. Then Wawrinka batters a angst-ridden forehand into the net for 0-30. Wawrinka is entering extremely choppy waters. He starts to swim to safety when Murray drops a backhand lob wide before Wawrinka makes it 30-all with a well executed volley. Yet Murray hangs on in the next rally, mixing up his defensive shots, and Wawrinka gives up a break point with an errant forehand. Is this the moment? No. Wawrinka serves brilliantly for deuce. Then Wawrinka punishes Murray for a lame drop shot with a backhand down the line and he holds with a trademark backhand. Onwards and upwards. Make no mistake, this is far from over.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 6-2, 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The stats show that Murray had a 92% success rate on his first serve in the second set. You suspect he’ll win this in straight sets if he keeps that going. After Wawrinka wildly misses a forehand on the first point, Murray bangs down consecutive aces for a 40-0 lead. He holds to love.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 6-2, 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): It seems likely that Wawrinka is going to need a vastly different approach if he’s to fight back from this miserable position. Either that or just start playing like he did in last year’s final. Just hit winner after winner. It’s not beyond him. Don’t be surprised if he forces a fourth set at least. He begins the third by holding to 15.
Andy Murray wins the second set to lead 6-4, 6-2!
Wawrinka’s not going away without a fight, mind you, and he wins the first point here by setting himself up for a volleyed winner after a big backhand. But Murray wins the next three points - more errors from Wawrinka - to bring up two set points and he takes the first with a serve out wide that’s framed by the Swiss. Murray is two sets up and I have to admit that I didn’t see this coming. Certainly not this easily.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 5-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka begins the game by sneezing a forehand long; he makes up for it with a couple of vicious forehands that make it 40-15 and he holds when Murray drifts a forehand long. Murray will serve for the second set.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 5-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray holds to love. What he’s done particularly well is absorb and neutralise Wawrinka’s power. Wawrinka will serve to stay in the second set.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 4-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka’s 10th unforced error on the backhand side makes it 30-all and Murray earns a break point with a backhand missile down the line. Murray could take a huge step towards a two-set point here; but Wawrinka comes up with a nerveless forehand winner to force deuce. Murray earns himself another chance, though, achieving just another power with a backhand pass to force Wawrinka to stretch and net a volley. This time, there’s no escape. Wawrinka pounces on a short ball but he blinks and hits a forehand straight at Murray, who’s not about to miss with a backhand pass down the line. This is outstanding tennis from the world No2. Can he maintain this level?
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 3-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray’s entered The Zone. A fearsome backhand down the lawn draws appreciative applause from the crowd and a thumbs up from Wawrinka. And nothing’s going right for Wawrinka right now. He reaches a drop shot at 40-15 but hits the tape with a forehand and sees his shot deflect wide.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 2-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray absolutely batters the fuzz off the ball with a backhand to make it 0-15. He’s pushing Wawrinka around here and that’s leading to errors from the defending champion, who’s soon facing three break points. Murray is moving so smoothly and Wawrinka looks uncertain. He tries to drop shot his way out of trouble but his effort rolls meekly into the net. Murray breaks.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka should win the first point here. He doesn’t. Murray emerges triumphant at the net and then he makes it 30-0 with a cracking drop shot. He volleys with poise to make it 40-0 and holds to 15. Fears that Murray’s intensity might dip look unfounded.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): That was such a brilliant first set, perhaps the highest standard we’ve seen in this tournament so far. Wawrinka has started this one confidently too, holding to 15.
Andy Murray wins the first set 6-4!
With Murray serving for the first set, the first two points are shared, both players making errors. Then Murray nails a huge serve to make it 30-15, before he loses an awesome rally, netting a forehand on the run after a searing backhand from Wawrinka. It’s 30-all, a massive point, but Murray brings up a set point with a big forehand that Wawrinka can only turn into the net. But this isn’t done yet. Wawrinka returns well from a second serve and sets himself up for a forehand winner down the middle for deuce and then he earns a break point, flaying a backhand past Murray, who’s given a time violation warning before the next serve. That fires him up sufficiently to hammer down a big serve, Wawrinka blocking long. “Let’s go!” Murray roars. But then it’s Wawrinka’s return to roar as he brings up a second break point with a monstrous forehand. Murray saves it again. Yet he’s facing a third. Wawrinka slams a backhand down the line and Murray nets a forehand volley. This is bubbling now and Murray denies Wawrinka again, serving firmly out wide, before earning a second set point with a forehand approach, Wawrinka hitting a backhand long and wide on the run. Can he take this one? He can! Another massive serve draws another error from Wawrinka and the first set is Murray’s!
First set: Murray 5-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka can hardly believe it after walloping an easy smash well past the baseline at 15-0. My word. That was like one of mine. But he gets it out of his system by holding to 15 with an ace down the middle to ensure that Murray will have to serve for the first set.
First set: Murray* 5-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray is trying to get the umpire to remove the overhead camera during play. I suspect he’ll get his way eventually. But it doesn’t seem to be affecting him as he sweeps into a 40-0 lead here and he holds to love. He’s a game away from taking the opening set.
First set: Murray 4-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka begins the game with a double-fault for 0-15, his first of the match. His first serve percentage isn’t what it could be at the moment and he’s starting to suffer a little, rushing a forehand volley wide for 0-30. He steadies himself and wins the next two points, his backhand beginning to fire, but then he drags a forehand wide to hand Murray a break point. He misses a first serve. He almost misses a second. But a backhand down the line saves a break point. A splendid return from Murray earns a second break point but he can’t beat the net with a forehand down the line and Wawrinka eventually holds and keeps alive his hopes of taking this set.
First set: Murray* 4-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka was complaining about something during the changeover. It’s not clear what he’s unhappy about, though, and the umpire isn’t too interested, so on we go. Murray’s quickly into a 30-0 lead thanks to two innocuous Wawrinka returns and he makes it 40-0 by dropping a backhand down the line with his opponent stranded at the net. He holds to 15. “Come on!” he barks.
First set: Murray 3-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka glides to 40-0 thanks to three well constructed points. He briefly threatens to let Murray back into it but holds to 15. Wawrinka hasn’t done a lot wrong but he’s behind nonetheless. This is warming up nicely.
First set: Murray* 3-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Murray makes a scratchy start, knocking a backhand long for 0-15 and Wawrinka senses an opportunity, attacking with a forehand, finishing off the next point with a pinpoint volley. Murray clatters back to 30-all with two fierce forehands. He moves to 40-30 when Wawrinka nets a slice and Murray holds to 30, catching the Swiss out with a forehand lob. This is very impressive from Murray at the moment.
First set: Murray 2-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray wins his first point on the Wawrinka serve, the Swiss netting a forehand for 0-15, before an excellent backhand return from Murray draws an error for 15-30. All of a sudden, Murray has two break points, pushing Wawrinka back with some heavy hitting and forcing him to miss another backhand. He can’t take the first - but he’s ruthless on the second. He opens up the court for a forehand down the line. Wawrinka just gets it back. Murray drop shots. Wawrinka lobs. But it’s not high enough. Murray leaps into a devastating overhead backhand and Wawrinka can’t stoop low enough to make his volley. Murray breaks!
First set: Murray* 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka dictates much of the first point here, but he loses it when he sends a backhand down the line wide for 15-0. But he wins the next two points. Murray pushes a forehand long and Wawrinka takes control of the next rally with a big forehand down the line. The defending champion looks confident, strong and inspired here. Beating him will require a monumental effort, that’s already clear. But Murray’s not shy of hard or painful work. He forces an error to make it 30-all before acing for 40-30. Yet the game goes to deuce. Murray is struggling to finish this game off and he’s facing a break point after carelessly netting a forehand. Yet he saves it brilliantly, dragging Wawrinka forward with a drop shot before punching a backhand volley down the line for deuce. Eventually Murray holds, cracking a backhand from left to right. He’ll be relieved to emerge unscathed.
First set: Murray 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Stan Wawrinka won the toss and elected to serve first. They begin by lobbing boulders over the net at each other, before Murray nets a forehand to make it 15-0. Wawrinka has started ominously well, moving into a 40-0 lead thanks to a couple of deft volleys and he holds thanks to a dreamy drop shot. He couldn’t have played that any better. “I feel like we’ve been cheated over the last 5 years of GS matches between Stan and our boy,” says Adam Hirst. “It just looks like the best, most interesting match-up in tennis. Stan will be constantly going for the lines, and he’ll have to to beat our new Clay-More Murray.”
The players are out on court. Who’s ready for tennis?
Bonjour! Perplexing against Radek Stepanek and Mathias Bourgue, comfortable against Ivo Karlovic and John Isner, sloppy then inspired over the course of four sets against Richard Gasquet, now Andy Murray needs to produce his best tennis on a consistent basis if he is to reach his first French Open final. A confrontation with Stan Wawrinka beckons and while Murray leads their head-to-head record 8-7, he has lost both of their meetings on clay and will not have forgotten the defending champion bundling him out of the US Open in straight sets in 2013. Wawrinka has won their previous three matches; Murray hasn’t beaten him since London 2012, when the Swiss was a slightly chubbier animal, still to rid himself of his puppy fat.
The world No2 has rarely found it easy against Wawrinka, even before the Swiss began to make the most of his vast talent, culminating in his breakthrough triumph at the Australian Open in 2014 and his upset of Novak Djokovic in last year’s French Open final. Wawrinka, always unpredictable, isn’t exactly a model of athleticism despite his improved fitness and his form on clay has been patchy this year. But he is one of the strongest men on the tour, capable of mainlining winners off both wings when the mood takes him, and other than a first-round wobble against Lukas Rosol, the 31-year-old has mostly been untroubled in Paris.
The third seed and world No4 has recorded grand-slam victories over each member of the Big Four since surging up the rankings in 2013, while Murray hasn’t beaten anyone seeded higher than seven at a slam since winning Wimbledon. That run will have to change today if he’s to capitalise on the excellent form on clay that has brought him three titles and victories over Djokovic and Nadal on the red stuff in the past 12 months. If Murray has any doubts, he only needs to remember that he beat Djokovic in the final in Rome two weeks ago. Even so, this one is too tight to call. Whatever happens, though, the next two, three or four hours are unlikely to be dull.
Play begins: soon.
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