Andy Murray drew Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the French Open yesterday in a throwback draw.
Murray, 36, has recovered from an ankle problem and has taken his place in the main draw at Roland Garros.
Wawrinka is slightly older at 39 and as a former winner of the French Open, he will provide a stern test.
Following this intriguing first-round match being pulled out of the hat, some comments made by Wawrinka earlier this year are quite poignant.
- READ MORE: What Andy Murray has been given this year
What Stan Wawrinka said about Andy Murray earlier this year
It’s quite clear that the Swiss player has a lot of respect for Murray ahead of their game at Roland Garros.
Earlier this year he was quizzed on Murray’s stature in the game alongside Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
In an interview earlier this year, the 2015 French Open champion was extremely complimentary about Murray.
He told Sportskeeda: “For me, he was part of this Big Four era. From 18-years-old until 30 he was always fighting with the Big Three, he was always there.
“Let’s put it that way, he won ‘only’ three Slams because all the other three were taking them.
“But he was always in the final, he was always winning a lot still.
“He’s way ahead of me, he won many more titles than me and his level was close to the Big Three for 10 years.”
Murray handed very favourable draw at Roland Garros
Wawrinka played a practice set alongside Rafael Nadal earlier this week and narrowly lost 6-4.
His season hasn’t been particularly fruitful though and he’s struggled to win matches on the tour.
At the Australian Open he was knocked out by 20th seed Adrian Mannarino in five sets; bowing out with a whimper despite leading two sets to one.
Although Wawrinka has won as many Grand Slam titles as Murray, it does feel as though the Great Britain star has been more successful.
Murray has spent time as the world number 1 which Wawrinka hasn’t and he’s also won 46 career titles as opposed to Wawrinka’s 16.
With the player expecting to retire this year, this is a favourable draw for Murray.
Although Wawrinka has a decent pedigree on clay, this feels like a match that Murray can progress though and reach the second round.
Murray vs Wawrinka – The tale of the tape
Over the years the pair have met a number of times – and it’s Murray who edges it.
He has won 13 times to Wawrinka winning nine of their meeting with each other.
The pair have met three times at Roland Garros, with the Swiss star claiming two wins and Murray winning their meeting in 2016.
The match could prove to be a close one and hopefully, both players can produce some of their best tennis and make this a classic first-round contest.
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