Andy Murray expects tricky contest against Adrian Mannarino
The Scot respects his second round foe
Sunday 6 September 2015 14:25, UK
Andy Murray is just hours away from his US Open clash with Adrian Mannarino. We have taken a close look at his French opponent.
The 27-year-old left-hander advanced to the second round with a straight sets win over Konstantin Kravchuk, but was far from impressed with his performance at Flushing Meadows.
Mannarino has played Murray just once before, losing 6-3 6-3 at Indian Wells in March this year, and was brutally honest about his chances if he cannot raise his game.
I have nothing to lose in this round, so why not just go out and give it a go?
"If I play against Andy the way I did against Konstantin then I will be killed," he said. "I was too tight and too tense against him.
"I thought I played well against Andy at Indian Wells, but it was still a straight sets victory for him that day. He's in a different league to me.
"That said, I have nothing to lose in this round, so why not just go out and give it a go?"
But Mannarino should not be taken lightly as he holds victories over Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin Del Potro and Gilles Simon.
Currently ranked at No 35 in the world, he has reached finals at two of this year's minor tournaments in Australia and Colombia.
A fourth round appearance at Wimbledon remains Mannarino's best showing at a Grand Slam and he has not ventured past the third round in New York.
Live US Open Tennis
But Murray believes his well-schooled opponent will provide a tricky test this evening.
He told Sky Sports: "It was a tough match and the way that he plays, he makes it very difficult for you, hits the ball extremely flat, has excellent timing off both sides and very good hands as well.
"It will be a tough match. He's played some good tennis this year and he does like to go for his shots and take the ball early. It's not going to be easy."
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