Murray and Wawrinka Reach French Open Fourth Round in Straight Sets

(May 27, 2016) Andy Murray did not need five sets to win on Friday at the French Open as he did in his first two matches. The No. 2 seed after playing five-set marathons in his first two rounds, beat big-serving Ivo Karlovic 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3) Friday. Murray will play American John Isner for a place in the final eight. The 15^th seed Isner beat 79th-ranked Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6(7), 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The biggest news came off the court at Roland Garros, when nine-time champion Rafael Nadal held a news conference to withdraw from the tournament with a left wrist injury.

Rafael Nadal Out of French Open with Injured Left Wrist

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the round of 16.

No. 6 ranked Kei Nishikori needed five sets to survive Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4. Nishikori will play Richard Gasquet next. Gasquet straight-setted Nick Kyrgios.

No. 8 seed Milos Raonic overcame and painful hip to beat No. 133 ranked lucky loser Andrej Martin 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-3.

No. 23-seeded Jack Sock fell 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to No. 55 Albert Ramos-Vinolas in a 4 hour, 11-minute marathon.

In women’s action, the last woman to reach the main draw by ranking cutoff, No. 108 Shelby Rogers upset No. 10 seed and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-0 to make the fourth round. For Rogers reaching the round of 16 is her best results at a major.

Seeds Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep and Samantha Stosur all advanced. Halep had to rally to beat the 101^st-ranked Naomi Osaka 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Last year’s finalist is out. Lucie Safarova lost to former French Open finalist Sam Stosur 6-3, 6-7 (0), 7-5.

No. 19 seed Sloane Stephens was dismissed by Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-1.