Andy Murray insists he is playing well enough to beat Juan Martin del Potro at the French Open
World No 1 will take on tennis' gentle giant Juan Martin del Potro this Saturday
Saturday 3 June 2017 13:35, UK
Andy Murray says he is gaining confidence as he gears up for the ultimate French Open test against Juan Martin del Potro in the third round on Saturday.
The world No 1 needed three hours and 35 minutes to defeat world No 50 Martin Klizan, eventually coming through 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-3).
It was a very patchy performance from Murray, who started poorly and then got himself into trouble again at the start of the fourth set before mounting a comeback.
The victory set up a clash with former US Open champion Del Potro, who is still working his way back up the rankings after wrist injuries that almost ended his career.
The Argentinian benefited from the emotional retirement of Nicolas Almagro during their second-round match when Del Potro himself was struggling with a groin injury.
But, assuming he is close to fully fit, Del Potro will present a serious test of Murray's Roland Garros ambitions with the pair having played in two classic matches last year - the Rio Olympic final and a marathon Davis Cup five-setter - both stand-out memories.
The Scot was determined to send a message of positivity, saying: "I definitely feel like I'm capable of winning that match.
"I'm playing way better than I was two weeks ago, and today's match will have done me a lot of good, because physically I pulled up well and felt good, so I will gain a lot of confidence from that. And I also hit a lot of balls out there, more than the first-round match.
"It seems like everyone thinks I didn't play particularly well today, but there was some good stuff against a tough opponent. It's not easy to play against someone like him. So hopefully I will keep improving in the next one."
Del Potro might have struggled to finish his match had his Almagro not retired, with the 29th seed, who came into the tournament nursing shoulder and back injuries, needing treatment for a groin problem. But he is hopeful he will be fit to face Murray.
Del Potro said: "I felt something in my groin in the middle of the first set. And then I won that set and then tried to take time for the anti-inflammatories to have an effect on my body.
"I have one day and a half to feel better. It's an old problem for me, so my physio knows how to treat that. Hopefully I can be in good shape."
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