Andy Murray ready to learn from 'match that got away' against Kei Nishikori
Wednesday 7 June 2017 07:00, UK
Unlike Kei Nishikori, Andy Murray has not forgotten their US Open quarter-final and is looking to make amends for the one that got away when the pair meet in Wednesday's French Open equivalent.
The world No 1 was the favourite to claim the title in New York last summer after winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold, but came unstuck on a dramatic evening.
He won the first set against Nishikori 6-1, led by two sets to one and looked poised to go a break up in the fourth when play was interrupted by a loud noise from the PA system.
Murray lost his cool then fought back from 2-4 down in the decider to lead 5-4, but lost the last three games.
Remarkably, Nishikori was unable to recall the match at all when asked about it on Monday, despite the win being one of the biggest of his career.
With a sheepish grin, the eighth seed said: "Actually, I'm very bad with the memories. I don't even know if I won or lost. I won?"
Murray has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his previous matches, so there was no chance of him having a similar memory lapse.
He told Eurosport: "Obviously we played at the US Open and that was five sets, a match that got away from me a little bit, so I need to learn a bit from that.
"There's a good chance it's a long one. He returns well and he's very solid off both wings. He's always a tough guy to play against.
"I'm happy with where my game's at. Everything is going pretty well just now. I'm feeling good going into the middle part of the second week."
Murray has played himself into form from unpromising beginnings and played his best match of the fortnight so far in beating Karen Khachanov in round four.
The Scot has impressed former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, who expects him to see off Nishikori.
The Croatian, who is playing in the 'legends' event at Roland Garros, said: "He didn't start the year like he wanted and he started to be a little not confident, but he found himself in the right moment.
"What better way to find yourself than at the French Open, when you're top seeded? Last year finalist, he wants to win.
"He played very well [against Khachanov] and he's playing better and better. Now a lot of things are possible. Andy knows what he has to do.
"I don't see Nishikori beating Andy. Nishikori doesn't have the mental side. He's going to crack, Andy is too good. Tennis-wise, yes, but it's not only hitting the balls."
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