Andy Murray: 'I had to fight extremely hard to beat Radek Stepanek'

Andy Murray shows his emotions against Gilles Simon in their third-round match during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open on May 5, 2016
© Getty Images
Andy Murray says that he had to fight "extremely hard" to beat Radek Stepanek in five sets in the first round of the French Open.

Andy Murray has admitted that he had to fight "extremely hard" to beat Radek Stepanek and reach the second round of the French Open.

The two-time Grand Slam champion was facing an early exit from the tournament in Paris when he went two sets down on Monday.

After Murray pulled a set back, organisers suspended the match due to bad light and the pair resumed their battle on the clay court today.

Britain's number one managed to draw 2-2 on sets before taking the fifth in a hard-fought display at Roland Garros.

After the match, Murray said on court: "It is unbelievable what [Stepanek] is doing. He had a bad injury last year yet at 37 is still coming out and fighting like he is. I don't expect to be doing that at his age! I am just pleased to have got through.

"He has always been extremely difficult to play. He hardly missed any volleys - until the one on match point and even that nearly got over - hit a lot of drop shots and hit the ball very flat and that made it very hard for me to dictate and get any rhythm.

"I had a bit of momentum yesterday, but I had to fight extremely hard today."

Murray will play French wildcard Mathias Bourgue in the next round.

Andy Murray returns to David Goffin during their Rome ATP tournament tennis match at the Foro Italico on May 13, 2016
Read Next:
Murray battles back before suspension
>
French Open Fourth Round
Result
Kuznetsova
Muguruza
3 4
6 6
Result
Troicki
Wawrinka
65 7  3 2
7  67 6 6
Result
Nishikori
Gasquet
4 2 6 2
6 6 4 6
LIVE
Halep
Stosur

Result
Raonic
Ramos-Vinolas
2 4 4
6 6 6
Result
Isner
Murray
69 4 3
7  6 6
LIVE
Pironkova
Radwanska

LIVE SCORES VIDEPRINTER
expand