Stylish Murray survives Starace test in Paris
Third seed Andy Murray through to round three of French Open
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Wednesday, 27, May 2009 10:28
Andy Murray is through to the third round of the French Open after a battling performance to beat Italy's Potito Starace in four sets.
The Briton, seeded third this year, had to dig deep after dominating the early stages as Starace appeared to grow in stature and looked on the verge of an upset.
But Murray turned the tables to win the third set, despite being 5-1 down at one stage, before sealing a deserved victory, 6-3 2-6 7-5 6-4.
A routine first set saw the 21-year-old favourite take an early advantage, but Starace changed his approach in the second, opening his shoulders to even things up, courtesy of two breaks of serve as Murray wilted.
And the British number one looked to be in serious trouble when Starace continued his onslaught in the third to give his opponent few chances to work his way back into proceedings.
However, Murray's recovery showed just why he is one of the most feared players on the ATP Tour at the moment - pulling back two service breaks from 1-5 to heap pressure on his opposite number.
As Starace tensed up, Murray began to grow in confidence and his body language sent a determined message that he would not lie down. And so it proved as the broken-looking Italian surrendered the third set 7-5 as Murray battered several brilliant winners past his opponent.
Just as he had after the first set, though, Starace showed heart in staying toe-to-toe with the world number three in the fourth set – holding his serve in an intense atmosphere.
But at 4-5 on Starace's serve, Murray found an opening at deuce - needing only two match points to complete the victory with a fantastic cross-court forehand winner.