adminThe men’s semi-final match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray was yesterday halted due to rain in Paris.
Djokovic controlled the match early, looking as though he would secure a quick win. Midway though the third set, though, Murray started to mount an impressive comeback.
Play will resume sometime today — an official time has not been announced.
Djokovic earned the first break of the match at 3-all in the first set. From there he set the pace, taking the first set with a 6-3 advantage and doing the same in the second.
Just as the match looked to be winding down, Murray came alive. He earned his first break of the match on Djokovic’s 15th service game, giving him a 6-5 lead in the set. He held serve to force a fourth set.
The pair battled through marathon, 30-shot vollies, covering nearly every inch of the court.
Leading 3-2 in the fourth set, Djokovic had the chance to break at 40-30, but hit a forehand into the net. Murray held on to even it at 3-all.
That’s when officials walked out, signalling to the players and the chair umpire that the match would be suspended due to approaching storms. Grounds crews quickly covered the court; minutes later, it started to rain.
Even if the rain is just passing through, the match will not be played out on Friday night because there are no lights at Roland Garros.
Each is seeking his first French Open title. Murray lost in the semifinals last year; Djokovic lost in the final two of the past three years.
The last time Murray defeated Djokovic was the 2013 Wimbledon final — the Serb has won their last eight meetings, including this year’s Australian Open final.
Djokovic has also won almost every match in which he jumped out to a two-set lead.
The last time he dropped a match after a two-set lead was five years ago in Paris.
The match will more than likely be completed this morning, meaning that the winner will not have a full day of rest before tomorrow’s final.
Stan Wawrinka, winner of the Friday morning semi-final match, will be off today. — Yahoo Sports.
Online Reporter