2020 Roland Garros 1R: (16) Stan Wawrinka vs (WC) Andy Murray

[Enceladus]

ATP H2H: 12-8 for Murray
GS H2H: 3-3 tie

This match definitely deserves its own thread. Two three-time Grand Slam champions against each other in the 1st round is definitely the most interesting match of the opening round of RG 2020.
They played two matches against each other at RG, in 2016 Murray won in four sets, a year later Wawrinka won in five sets. The favorite of this year's match is Wawrinka and I expect him to confirm this role.

 

[Jokervich]

delete

 

[D-Lite]

I think Murray will be a handful for Wawrinka. Even when Wawrinka won the Prague challenger a few weeks back he was taken to 3 sets many times, and he got dispatched in Rome early on. If he peaks at RG with some decent form I expect he will overcome Murray but if he's not on form and I do think he's going to be really vulnerable to Murray. Murray wouldn't play unless he was 100% fit, or near enough, so I expect him to be confident - my main issue is Murray has played 0 warm up events since the USO.
I'm going to go with Wawrinka in 4 but I'd like to see Murray come start well and work his way into the draw.

 

[Flint]

What a troll draw...

 

[Hood_Man]

Stan in 3 (sadly). If Murray takes two and a half sets to get going against unknowns then what chance is he going to have against someone who knows how to close out a match at the highest level?

 

[Sephiroth]

That match that killed Andy in 2017 is gonna be replayed in the 1R of 2020 RG lol

 

[Musterrific]

That match that killed Andy in 2017 is gonna be replayed in the 1R of 2020 RG lol

It killed them both. Neither player has fully recovered from that war.

 

[Picmun]

 

[Hitman]

Like this wasn't fixed....

 

[ark_28]

Stan should win this quite easily. Murray isn’t really a force anymore he should have lost to Nishioka then got hammered by Felix! At most Stan may lose one set that is it

 

[marc45]

@George Bellshaw
‘If I can get five-six months where I'm able to compete in the tournaments I want to & practise properly, I will definitely win some more tournaments & have some more good wins.’

Murray confident of what the future holds as he prepares to face Wawrinka

 

[Waterwater]

I think Murray can still have a Wimbledon run in him. Maybe next year?
I don’t think he beats Stan at RG at this point of his career though

 

[I Am Finnish]

Can't believe this is a first round match
Depends which Wawrinka will show up

 

[Larry Duff]

MurrayGOAT ftw

 

[TheNachoMan]

Total coincidence that this match happened..

anyway, going for Stan. Clay is not an ideal surface for that hip

 

[Meles]

I think Murray will be a handful for Wawrinka. Even when Wawrinka won the Prague challenger a few weeks back he was taken to 3 sets many times, and he got dispatched in Rome early on. If he peaks at RG with some decent form I expect he will overcome Murray but if he's not on form and I do think he's going to be really vulnerable to Murray. Murray wouldn't play unless he was 100% fit, or near enough, so I expect him to be confident - my main issue is Murray has played 0 warm up events since the USO.
I'm going to go with Wawrinka in 4 but I'd like to see Murray come start well and work his way into the draw.

Muzz going to win this; Stan so pathetic Magnus left him

 

[D.Nalby12]

Outcome of this match should seal the debate who is greater of these two.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Muzz going to win this; Stan so pathetic Magnus left him

lol never write off stanimal

 

[Breakpointerer]

The one with 3 slams shall win
Seriously though, good going RG draw organisers lol

 

[DSH]

Where is the option double K.O!

 

[dropshotlikeitshot]

Think we could see a tight first two sets before Stan wins the final two easily. Looking forward to it.

 

[Third Serve]

This match might start in a little bit. Bumping to top of the page.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Getting ready to watch this match before I pass out as its nearing 2AM here in Australia!

 

[Breakpointerer]

Replaying their 2017 match atm

 

[RF-18]

Wow what a 1st round.

Murray in 5 sets.

 

[Oval_Solid]

poor murray

 

[davced1]

Murray with tights on, is it really that cold?

 

[Deon Sanders]

This should really be one of those washed up old pros exho

Embarrassing clay tennis is putting this one on the main draw

 

[Third Serve]

NBC isn’t covering anything yet. Have they started warming up yet?

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

Biblical justice in 5 sets.

 

[flyingboris]

Getting started according to sofascore. (starts hunting down a stream)

 

[Breakpointerer]

Andy starting his tournament with a time violation lol

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Should be a good one!

 

[Third Serve]

Stupid NBC not showing anything French Open right now. Cannot watch the match at all.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Andy starting his tournament with a time violation lol

Better than ending your tournament with assault and battery

 

[Terenigma]

Is it just me or does the court look insanely slow? I know it's clay but the movement of the ball looks so much slower than previous years to me. Maybe it's too early in this paticular match but for Murray/Wawrinka the hitting should be bigger than this.

 

[Third Serve]

Is it just me or does the court look insanely slow? I know it's clay but the movement of the ball looks so much slower than previous years to me. Maybe it's too early in this paticular match but for Murray/Wawrinka the hitting should be bigger than this.

Heavier balls

 

[President]

This looks like it’s going to be very physical. I would think that favors Stan.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This looks like it’s going to be very physical. I would think that favors Stan.

Definitely now. In the past it would have been Murray with the advantage.

 

[merwy]

Wawrinka has this bad habit of missing approach forehand shots.

 

[Nate7-5]

Stupid NBC not showing anything French Open right now. Cannot watch the match at all.

Tennis Channel

 

[Krish872007]

Is it just me or does the court look insanely slow? I know it's clay but the movement of the ball looks so much slower than previous years to me. Maybe it's too early in this paticular match but for Murray/Wawrinka the hitting should be bigger than this.

Heavy balls, heavy and cool atmosphere, slow and heavy overall conditions. Difficult to put the ball away - sometimes you might have to "win" the point 2 or 3 times before reaping rewards

 

[Terenigma]

Heavier balls

Aye i knew about the heavier balls but it just feels like they almost stop on this clay, Pretty interesting to see. It's certainly going to benefit the heavier hitters and with how much pace the balls are losing, we could see the big servers/slower players go deeper maybe. I just think it's pretty crazy how much slower the play looks, took me by surprise a little.

 

[Sudacafan]

Better than ending your tournament with assault and battery

Hi there!
What are you doing here watching non real tennis? I guess you should be doing something worthier.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Hi there!
What are you doing here watching non real tennis? I guess you should be doing something worthier.

Who said I was watching?

 

[Krish872007]

Probably favours Stan a bit more. Anyone who's generally a flatter, power hitter would do "relatively better" if these conditions persist.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Stan gets the break.

 

[Nate7-5]

Stan gets the break.

Alias checks out

 

[Terenigma]

Early break for Wawrinka then, pretty sure Metal-Murray isn't going to survive too long in these conditions. He looks very uncomfortable.

 

[Meles Fan.]

NOOOOOO THE POLL CLOSED 2 MINUTES AGO I wanted to vote Andy in 3