Thursday 26 May 2016 08:54, UK
Andy Murray again had to come through a draining five-set match before defeating Mathias Bourgue on Wednesday to reach the third round of the French Open.
The Scotsman was taken all the way in his first round clash with veteran Radek Stepanek and Frenchman Bourgue caused Murray further problems.
Murray took control as the match wore on to claim a 6-2 2-6 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory at Roland Garros but he was tested by a player he admitted beforehand he knew little about.
The contest began well enough for Murray, who broke his opponent's serve in the fourth game, although even then there were hints it may not be a straightforward affair.
The No 2 seed spurned three opportunities to claim the break before doing so at the fourth attempt before he won the set against the serve.
A further break of serve in the second game of the next set looked to have set Murray on his way but he was far from his fluent best as he allowed the home favourite to break straight back.
Bourgue wasted the first of his three break points but forced an error to take the second, as his opponent fired a forehand into the net.
World No 164 Bourgue easily held his own serve with a beautifully disguised drop shot before edging ahead in the second set to take a 3-2 lead.
A further break in the seventh game, this time to love, was followed by a comfortable hold for Bourgue to level the match at one-set all, as Murray struggled to gain control of the rallies.
The Frenchman also claimed the opening two games of the third set, meaning a hapless Murray had lost eight on the bounce.
That unwelcome sequence was finally ended in the next game but Murray was forced to save two break points in the seventh game of the third set.
Having entered the second Grand Slam of the season in fine form after winning the Rome Masters, his hopes of winning the The Musketeers' Trophy appeared to be in the balance.
Bourgue landed two superb drop shots and then clinched the set with a powerful backhand winner down the line.
But the key moment in the match arrived at the start of the fourth set when Murray was forced to save three break points, one with a half-volley that showcased the quality he possesses.
Murray gradually began to wrestle back control and his fightback began when he broke to take a 3-1 lead, with Bourgue, who had never previously played a fourth set, beginning to struggle physically.
The Scotsman saw out the set and finally looked to be in control as he broke twice more in the deciding set to move to within one game of a gruelling victory.
Bourgue showed his grit to win two games in a row before unleashing his 25th backhand winner of the contest but Murray was unfazed and claimed victory when the Frenchman drilled the ball into the net.
