We profile Radek Stepanek, Andy Murray's French Open opponent
Sunday 22 May 2016 08:05, UK
Radek Stepanek is Andy Murray's French Open first round opponent but who is he and what can the British No 1 expect.
Stepanek will not be a new name to Murray or tennis fans. The Czech veteran has been around for years having turned professional 20 years ago in 1996, but aged 37 he is now at the twilight of his career.
The British No 1 know all about Stepanek having faced him in Madrid just a few weeks ago and Murray was given quite a scare after Stepanek took the opening set with some of his best tennis in years.
Murray fought back impressively to claim a 6-7 6-3 6-1 and is likely to have too much for Stepanek, who is ranked at 129 in the world, with doubles events very much his focus.
He will not be without his dangers in Paris though. Having come through three matches of qualifying, Stepanek will be in tune with the courts, although with the Rome Masters trophy in his locker courtesy of a straight sets win over Novak Djokovic, Murray will not be unduly concerned.
Stepanek's singles career has taken a back seat since next neck surgery in 2012 and he has played much of his individual tennis on the Challenger tour.
But the last few years have not been without success, claiming Grand Slam success with Leander Paes at the US Open in 2013 and Australian Open in 2012 while he and partner Daniel Nestor were beaten by Andy's brother Jamie and Bruno Soares at this year's Australian Open in the final in Melbourne.
Despite his impressive display in Madrid against Murray, Stepanek has not been a top ten player since 2014 when he chalked up a straight sets win over Andy at Queen's - in fact, that is one of only three wins since 2009 over the world's top 10.
Murray dominates the head-to-head (6-2) and has won all three meetings between the pair on clay - the meeting earlier this year showed Murray that Stepanek still has the variety that made him such a tricky customer and took him to No 8 in the world and a Wimbledon quarter-final in 2006.
A traditional serve-volley player in an era when play at the net has all but vanished, Stepanek's style is likely to allow Murray to display his full repertoire while also allowing the Czech the occasional memorable point.
