Murray opens up Paris bid against Coric

By Niall Clarke

  • Andy Murray faces Borna Coric in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters
  • Aljaz Bedene plays John Isner
  • Bedene defeated Marcel Granollers 7-5, 7-6(4) in the opening round

Paris, France- Andy Murray will kick off his BNP Paribas Masters campaign against 18 year old Borna Coric on Wednesday.

Football:

The British number one received an opening round BYE due to his seeding, so will start his bid for his first title in Paris in the second round.

Bercy has never been a happy hunting ground for the world number two, in fact he has never made it past the quarter finals here in eight attempts. But cats have nine lives, so maybe the ninth attempt will break the duck.

First, Murray must pass the dangerous test of Coric who destroyed the Brit 6-1, 6-3 in February. The Croatian overcame Fernando Verdasco in round one 6-4 6-4 and looks set to finish inside the top 50.

With the Davis Cup final and World Tour Finals on the agenda, Murray will be keen not to waste too much energy this week, but the extra week between Bercy and London will be a welcome one from the Brit’s perspective.

Therefore Murray will feel he can launch a serious assault at the title this week which would be his third Masters title of 2015 if successful. The Scot previously won in Madrid and Montreal, and has reached the final four of all the other Masters he has played this season except Rome.

His opponent on Wednesday is the highest ranked teenager in men’s tennis, current sitting at 46 in the world. The highly touted Coric has scored big wins over Murray and Nadal in the past, and played a good match in defeating a former top ten player in Verdasco in his first match in the BNP Paribas Masters. Coric however has not had the greatest success in Masters Events, never making it past the second round.

Bedene defeats Granollers; sets up Isner clash

After coming through qualifying, Aljaz Bedene put in a good performance to defeat Marcel Granollers in the first round on Monday.

The British number two did not face a single break point in a 7-5, 7-6(4) victory, setting up a round two match against big serving John Isner.

The 6ft10 American received a BYE in the opening round due to his 13th seeding, so will come into the second round match fresher of the two.

Bedene will have to deal with one of the best serves to ever grace the game. Isner can hit all kinds of serves at all angles so patience will be a key for the British number two as he will not get many looks at breaking.

This is the first meeting between the two, with the winner potentially meeting Roger Federer in the third round.

Elsewhere

Speaking of Federer, he will be in action against Andreas Seppi in the second round on Wednesday. The Swiss was upset by the Italian at the Australian Open earlier in the year.

Murray’s potential third round opponent David Goffin will face Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, with potential quarter final opponents Kei Nishikori and Richard Gasquet also set to kick off their tournaments.

Lucas Rosol will face Rafael Nadal for the second time in a week, with their last meeting in Basel coming within two points of going the way of the Czech. Speaking of Czech’s Tomas Berdych will also be in action against Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Jo Wilfried Tsonga will face Roberto Bautista Agut in the night session.

Andy Murray is scheduled on Court Central at 1:30PM local time (12:30 GMT)

 

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