Murray wary of Prodon’s potential to spring surprise in Paris match

Andy Murray will take nothing for granted when he meets Frenchman Eric Prodon in the first round of the French Open today.

On paper, the 29-year-old journeyman, who has qualified for the main draw of a tennis grand slam for the first time, is one of the least threatening opponents Murray has faced at a major tournament.

Prodon, ranked 124th in the world, has spent almost his entire career at Futures and Challenger level, with his only win on the main ATP Tour coming against Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in Casablanca in 2003.

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Murray said: “They say it is a good draw but sometimes I have hard draws and have done very well and at other times I have had what people call easy draws and lost. It doesn’t make a lot of difference to me.”

The Scot may be right to be wary because, while Prodon has made little impact at elite level, he is certainly not lacking in experience having won 21 titles, all on clay.

The first of those came in Edinburgh in May 2004, and among the spectators watching at Craiglockhart was a teenage Murray.

The 24-year-old added: “He has a lot of experience and plays most of his tennis on clay so he will be dangerous. I’m sure the crowd will shout for him but I feel fresh right now and I’m looking forward to this tournament more than ever.”

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Prodon is enjoying the best period of his career having reached a ranking high of 113 earlier this month, while qualifying victories over Carsten Ball, Agustin Velotti and Andreas Beck show he is in good shape.

The Parisian will be making his fourth appearance in the first round at Roland Garros after receiving wild cards in 2000, 2002 and 2008.

His record so far reads three matches, three defeats – two of them in straight sets and the first one, against Fernando Meligeni, in four.

Facing the world No 4 at the French Open will not be a completely novel experience, though, for in 2002 Prodon played Andre Agassi in the first round, losing 6-3 6-3 6-1.

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Heather Watson became the first British woman to win a main-draw match at the French Open for 17 years when she beat Stephanie Foretz Gacon 7-6 (8/6) 6-1.

On Friday, the 19-year-old from Guernsey had recorded the first win by a British woman in a final-round qualifying match at Roland Garros since Kate Brasher in 1983.

Even more encouraging for British tennis fans was the manner in which the world No 117 secured victory, saving five set points in the opener before breezing through the second set.

Anne Keothavong’s attempt to achieve the feat earlier in the day had ended in failure after a more than three-hour battle with Russian Vesna Dolonts.

Keothavong, against a player ranked seven places higher at 101st, could not capitalise on a good start and lost 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 after three hours and 21 minutes.