Tough Day In French Open

Andy gave it a great effort against Igor Andreev, but ultimately succumbed to the Russian in a tight four set battle 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to bow out in the first round in the French Open.

Andy was looking very impressive for a set and a half against Igor Andreev, who, until recently, was the last man to beat Rafael Nadal on clay in 2005. Despite having to fend off early break points from Andreev, Andy was quick to take his own opportunities and as Andreev’s forehand started to unravel, Andy was able to take advantage to break the Russian and then serve out the set for a 6-3 lead.

Things were looking good for Andy as he went up a break early in the second set as more forehand errors from Andreev cost him dearly. However, as can so often happen in tennis, everything changed in the blink of an eye against Andy. Leading 4-2, Andy suddenly found himself on the end of a five game winning streak from Andreev which saw him recover his position in the set, go on to win it, and take a lead in the third set.

Unsure as to how to turn things around against an inspired Andreev, Andy struggled to make his mark in the match as Andreev dictated and bossed Andy around the court. Despite his very best efforts to stay with the Russian and claw his way back into the match, Andreev was able to make his break points count where Andy couldn’t and he took both the third and fourth sets with one break of serve 6-3, 6-4 to end Andy’s French Open campaign.

It was a great effort against Andy and he can now look ahead to his favorite part of the season – the grass court season with Queens starting in two weeks time.

Well done, Andy!