French Open: Andy Murray 'won't brush aside' heavy loss to Stan Wawrinka - BBC Sport
Andy Murray says he will not "just brush aside" a comprehensive defeat by Stan Wawrinka in the French Open first round.
Last updated on .From the section Tennis

Andy Murray says he will not "just brush aside" a comprehensive three-set defeat by Swiss 16th seed Stan Wawrinka in the French Open first round.

The 33-year-old Scot won just six games in what was the joint heaviest Grand Slam defeat of his career.

It was his first appearance on a clay court since June 2017 following the hip injury which almost led to retirement.

"I should be analysing that hard and trying to understand why the performance was like that," he said.

Former world number one Murray looked flat throughout the 6-1 6-3 6-2 defeat and was punished as fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka hit through him in a clinical display.

A low first-serve percentage of 37% heavily contributed to the defeat, with Murray making 26 unforced errors and landing just 10 winners.

That led to his most comprehensive loss at a major since Rafael Nadal beat him 6-3 6-2 6-1 in the 2014 French Open semi-finals.
• None Murray and Evans out of the French Open

Several players have been critical of the conditions at Roland Garros, which is being played in colder and damper weather with the tournament having been moved back from its usual May-June slot because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The introduction of a new, heavier ball has also led to some complaints.

Murray's match was played under floodlights on an open Court Philippe Chatrier on a chilly Parisian night, but he said the conditions were not a factor in his below-par performance.

"I don't feel like that's a valid reason," said Murray, who will next play at two indoor events being held in Cologne next month.

"Maybe to not enjoy the matches as much when it's like that, but not in terms of it affecting your performance in any way.

"I need to have a long, hard think about it.

"It's not for me the sort of match I would just brush aside and not give any thought to."

Afterwards, former Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander questioned Murray's future and suggested on Eurosport that the Briton should "stop taking wildcards" from younger players.

Murray, who replied with a sarcastic 'thumbs up' on Instagram to the Swede's comments, earlier said that while he would not be able to return to his physical peak, he remained confident he still had the technical ability to compete.

He pointed to his win over Germany's world number seven Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati Masters last month as a case in point.

"There have been matches that I have played since I came back where I hit the ball well," Murray said.

"I know it wasn't the best match at times, but Zverev was a couple of points away from winning the US Open, and I won against him the week beforehand.

"It's going to be difficult for me to play the same level as I did before. I'm 33 now and I was ranked number one in the world, so it's difficult with all the issues that I have had. But I'll keep going."

Broady and Norrie carry British hopes in the men's draw

Murray's defeat followed the exit of British number one Dan Evans, who lost a fluctuating five-setter against former world number four Kei Nishikori, earlier on the opening day of the tournament on Sunday.

That leaves qualifier Liam Broady and British number three Cameron Norrie as the nation's only remaining hopes in the men's singles.

Broady, 26, qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career at the 12th attempt.

His reward for winning three qualifying matches at Roland Garros is an opener against Czech Jiri Vesely at about 14:00 BST.

Norrie, ranked 77th, follows Broady on court 10 against Colombian world number 153 Daniel Galan.
• None Has it gone too far?