Thaindian News

London, May 22 (ANI): British tennis champion Andy Murray is far from complacent about his chances at the French Open after being pitted against local favourite Richard Gasquet in the opening match.

Gasquet is known for his prowess on clay-courts, “It should be very difficult. Gasquet is a very, very good player,” The Sun quoted Murray, as saying.

Though currently unseeded, Gasquet’s career high ranking was world no.7. His life witnessed several upheavals in the past year with him being banned after testing positive for cocaine.

The decision was later overturned after Gasquet argued that the drug entered his mouth after he kissed a girl at a Miami party.

But Murray is not taking it easy inspite of his opponent’s personal problems that could inhibit performance.

“Obviously he had some problems last year but he is playing very well again. He is definitely one of the best players who is not seeded,” he said.

“I don’t know much about the story. It didn’t seem the sort of thing he would do. It was obviously a difficult time for him, which was a shame. He’s now come back and is playing very well again,” he added.

The modest Murray is himself a tenacious competitor having pulled off one of his greatest comebacks to beat Gasquet after being two sets down in a dramatic fourth-round match at Wimbledon in 2008.

All the same, the statistics are in Gasquet’s favour with the French player triumphing in two of their last three meetings. (ANI)