Andy Murray’s quest for that coveted first French Open title is still very much alive after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro, 7-6. (8), 7-5, 6-0, in the third round on Saturday. It was a terrific performance by the three-time Grand Slam champion who needed two hours and 53 minutes to produce the straight-sets victory.
Murray, who recorded his 19th match win of the season, blasted 44 winners and won 69 percent of his first serve points against Del Potro. What proved to be the difference in the match, however, was the Brit’s sizzling return. Murray converted six of his 17 break point opportunities against Del Potro.
Next up for Murray is a fourth-round clash with Karen Khachanov. Murray, who is through to the fourth round of the French Open for the eighth time in his career, has yet to face Khachanov in his storied career. The world no. 1 will have no problem defeating Khachanov, though, especially if he can continue his highly-effective net play. He won 21 of his 26 net points against Del Potro in the previous round.
Now that was a shock. Karen Khachanov reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career with a heart-stopping 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3) victory Saturday over American John Isner. It was a remarkable showing by Khachanov who became the youngest man to reach the last 16 of the French Open since 2009.
Khachanov played beyond his years in the victory against Isner, winning all 23 games he served against the 21st-seeded American. Khachanov won an incredible 90 percent of his first serve points against Isner and the 21-year-old will need that same kind of efficiency if he is to upset Murray. The one thing going for Khachanov is that he has nothing to lose against the top-seeded Murray. Khachanov’s French Open campaign is already a huge success considering he has never won successive grand-slam matches until this tournament.
For Khachanov to keep his dream run going, he will need to limit his miscues against Murray. He committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults in the win against Isner. That’s trouble against Murray who won 47 percent of his receiving points against Del Potro in the third round.
Writer’s Prediction
Murray (-800) breezes past Khachanov in straight sets.
