Barry Cowan, Peter Fleming and Mark Petchey assess Murray's chances
Tuesday 6 June 2017 08:28, UK
We've asked our panel of experts whether or not world No 1 Andy Murray can defeat tennis' gentle giant Juan Martin del Potro at the French Open.
Del Potro has played only six tournaments this season as he attempts to ensure there is no repeat of the wrist problems that nearly wrecked his career.
A semi-finalist at Roland Garros back in 2009, the 28-year-old is making his first appearance in Paris for five years.
Del Potro's sledgehammer forehand remains one of the sport's great weapons and, provided he is fully fit, he can be a threat to Murray this Saturday at Roland Garros. Here's what our panel of experts think:
What are your expectations?
After his opening two rounds, Murray has shown a lot of fight and he's also shown a lot of really good tennis, but he's shown some barren patches where he hasn't played his best.
Del Potro will firmly believe he can beat Murray, so this is the time really for Murray to step up. He's got to play better and he's got to keep his focus for a longer period which he has been chasing for most of this year
When you look at this logically by looking at both Andrey Kuznetsov [world No 73] and Martin Klizan's rankings [50], their credentials in big matches - they can both blow hot and cold - but they both lacked the real belief to claim a big win against big players. Klizan's last win against a Top 10 player was three years ago and Kuznetsov has only two wins in 19 matches against Top 10 players now. I think when the going gets tough they would come up a little bit short, but that doesn't apply to Del Potro.
Del Potro will firmly believe he can beat Murray, so this is the time really for Murray to step up. He's got to play better and he's got to keep his focus for a longer period which he has been chasing for most of this year. On Saturday, we will see a good indication of where he is at. The opening two matches were all about making sure he gets through them and there were no slip-ups, especially given what happened in Madrid and Rome, but he will have to play better.
Will this be another classic?
This has got another possibility of matching the Olympic final and Davis Cup from last year. With Del Potro, he's had a lack of matches this year due to some unfortunate draws and the way his ranking sits. What makes the match-up so appetising is when you've got two great players they have to ability, if one player raises their level, the other responds.
It's absolutely crucial that Murray must keep his intensity. What Andy has been able to do over his career when he's really needed to do it, he's been able to do it - he's just done enough to get through, but Saturday is the real test. His confidence will be really tested.
Barry prediction...
My prediction before Del Potro's injury was for Del Potro to win because I think Murray has been searching for form but now I have to believe Murray is physically stronger than his opponent and ready to play better. It's like a football team when they're winning 1-0 - they can only win 1-0 for so long before something gives. That's why I'm looking forward to it. Murray can put all his troubles of his recent past behind him. The match could possibly be something that could really shape the rest of his season. Murray's section of the draw is looking really great if he can get through.
What are your expectations?
It's a fascinating match-up really - I think it's a great test for Murray, but it's one that I kind of expect him to pass. I still don't think Del Potro is the player that he once was a few years ago - his two-handed backhand is not nearly as dangerous as what is was and that gives Murray a slight advantage.
Neither player has been playing their best up until now, but it's an opportunity for them to push each other to that next level
Delpo is still a great competitor and he understands how to play on clay. He will force Murray to play at his best, but I think it will be good for him because it will push him to get to that next level. He's taken little steps in that direction, but has then backtracked from time to time.
Murray needs to try and be the aggressor as often as possible because if he allows Delpo to control the rallies with his forehand then it won't work. But again, I think Delpo will allow him to do that because he's not as aggressive off the backhand as he once was which will allow Murray to get back into the rallies a little more than perhaps he ought to.
Will this be another classic?
It could well be, yeah. I think they're both great players and both great competitors. Neither player has been playing their best up until now, but it's an opportunity for them to push each other to that next level.
Fleming's prediction....
It's going to probably be a tight five sets maybe.
What are your expectations?
This definitely has all the ingredients you want in a match between two major champions, but obviously I feel strategic-wide it will be interesting to see how Andy plays because Del Potro isn't as strong as he used to be.
Will this be another classic?
They know each other's games really well, and they've known each other since they were juniors. There are no great secrets out there because they know they can counter each other's strengths incredibly well. We're going to see a great match.
Petchey's prediction...
I think Andy will pass the test although I don't think it will be easy at all - it could go to five sets.
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