ONE of the most compelling rivalries of 2016 will be renewed in the third round of the French Open today when Andy Murray takes on Juan Martin Del Potro.
The pair only met twice last year but they were two matches that will live long in the memory.
First they played each other virtually to a standstill in a pulsating battle for Olympic gold in Rio.
Murray came out on top of that one to claim his second successive Olympic title but Del Potro got his revenge when they clashed again in the Davis Cup semi-finals a month later.
This time they played for five hours and seven minutes, the longest match of Murray’s career, and it was Del Potro who prevailed to hand the Scot his first home singles loss in Davis Cup.
Del Potro, who went on to guide Argentina to their first Davis Cup title, was always going to be a danger lurking for one of the top seeds as he continues to work his way back up the rankings after wrist problems almost ended his career.
At his best, the 28-year-old has been one of the few players to consistently challenge the big four and Murray knows Del Potro’s current ranking of 30 is misleading.
The Scot said: “That was obviously a brutal match we played in Rio, but also one of the most memorable that I’ll have in my career regardless of what happens in the final few years of my tennis. We also played a great match in Davis Cup as well.
“It’s a tough match, not an easy third round. He’s, in my opinion, one of the best players in the world when he’s fit and healthy.
“This year he’s had a lot of tough draws. If you look at the matches that he’s lost, he’s played Novak a few times. He lost to Raonic in Delray Beach, Miami I think he lost to Roger.
“So because of the ranking that he has, he’s in that bracket where he’s met a lot of the top guys early on.”
Del Potro has played a light schedule as he focuses on looking after his body but he was a doubt for the tournament because of back and shoulder injuries and struggled with a groin problem on Thursday.
Indeed, Del Potro might have been in trouble had opponent Nicolas Almagro not retired in tears with a knee injury at one set all.
Del Potro is optimistic he will be fit to face Murray, saying: “I will have two days in order to rest and recover.”
He is looking forward to having another crack at the world No 1.
“We played great battles last year, one each,” said Del Potro. “It could be another great battle if I feel good.
“Andy is one of the favourites to win this tournament. And now I know his game a lot, but I need to be in good shape and physically be stronger if we play a long match.
“I’m happy with my level at this moment, my forehands and serves are working good.”
Murray is getting used to having British company beyond the first couple of rounds at grand slams and this time it is Kyle Edmund who has joined him in the last 32.
The 22-year-old has used his huge forehand to bulldoze his way to straight-sets wins over Gastao Elias and Renzo Olivo and now meets South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.
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