Del Potro, Murray past first hurdle
Surpass French opponents in Rotterdam opener.
Del Potro, the world number four and top seed, tested his delicate left wrist over nearly one and three-quarter hours as he beat Gael Monfils 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ROTTERDAM:
Former champions Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Murray showed off improved fitness in first-round victories over French opponents on Wednesday at the Rotterdam World Tennis.
Del Potro, the world number four and top seed, tested his delicate left wrist over nearly one and three-quarter hours as he beat Gael Monfils 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
Murray dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-3, finishing with 29 winners and breaking three times. The win came a week-and-a-half after he led Britain past the US in Davis Cup play in San Diego.
The world number six is playing the event for the fourth time in his bid for a 29th career title.“I served really well for a set-and-a-half, at the end it’s natural that you get a bit nervous, I moved well and made him play the extra ball.
“It got tough at the end and I’m glad I pulled this one off in two sets. I hope to have another good run here this week.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2014.
Former champions Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Murray showed off improved fitness in first-round victories over French opponents on Wednesday at the Rotterdam World Tennis.
Del Potro, the world number four and top seed, tested his delicate left wrist over nearly one and three-quarter hours as he beat Gael Monfils 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
Murray dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-3, finishing with 29 winners and breaking three times. The win came a week-and-a-half after he led Britain past the US in Davis Cup play in San Diego.
The world number six is playing the event for the fourth time in his bid for a 29th career title.“I served really well for a set-and-a-half, at the end it’s natural that you get a bit nervous, I moved well and made him play the extra ball.
“It got tough at the end and I’m glad I pulled this one off in two sets. I hope to have another good run here this week.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2014.