03 June, 2017
Murray lost the opening set on a tie-break but recovered to win 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-3).
Since becoming world No. 1 at the end of a year ago, things have not come easy for the Scot, with a loss of form compounded by an elbow injury and illness, including a bout of shingles that was diagnosed shortly after the Australian Open. "Martin goes for his shots, he can hit winners with that forehand from anywhere on the court", said Murray.
He was still on the mend when he lost to Murray in the Rio Olympic tennis final but got his revenge later that year when he beat the Scot in the Davis Cup on the way to leading Argentina to replacing Great Britain as holders.
"It will be very tough".
The first set on Court Suzanne Lenglen was a horror show for Murray against a player who nearly skipped Roland Garros because of a calf injury. Del Potro, an Argentine who has faced his own injuries, talked quietly with Spain's Almagro before the two walked slowly back to the bench.
"I tried to, I don't know, tried to find good words for that moment", the 29th seed claimed after the match.
"The second and third set was not easy, but I was ready with my game at the important moments when I needed, and it worked really good".
"And sometimes the heart is first, (before) the tennis match or the tennis life".
PARIS (AP) - Juan Martin del Potro quickly went from fierce competitor to friendly consoler at the French Open, showing deep reserves of compassion for an opponent who had to stop playing their second-round match because of a knee injury. Del Potro served at 1-1 but Almagro did not return it and instead collapsed to the the ground seemingly in pain.
Del Potro also suffered an injury scare himself when he pulled up, holding his left groin in the second set.
Nick Kyrgios is out of the French Open after losing his second-round match to Kevin Anderson 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Wawrinka will face Italy's Fabio Fognini for a place in the fourth round.
Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori routed France's Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5).
"Getting frustrated on the court is something that I have always battled with and always fought, probably since I was 20, 21 years old, and it's more venting", he explained.
The 18th seed has never made it past the third round at the Paris grand slam.
As the pair competed for the win, Almagro's knee gave out, and he was left with no choice but to forfeit the match and exit the tournament.
Pliskova would do well to get there since clay isn't her preferred surface.
Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka posted yet another solid performance to reach the third round at the French Open.
