Andy Murray says return to five-set tennis has helped him feel less anxious: 'I know there is time to turn it around'

Andy Murray scored his biggest win of a patchy season yesterday against former US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro, so defending his record of reaching the fourth round in 25 consecutive grand slams.

Murray had come into the French Open facing heavy criticism over his results in 2017, which added up to the worst start to a season by a world No 1 since Pete Sampras in 1999.

But a 7-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory over Del Potro sent him into the fourth round in good spirits, particularly by contrast with the moody behaviour that saw him throwing rackets and storming off court during his practice sessions ­before the tournament.

“I believe in myself,” said Murray, “so even when things aren’t ­going well, I believe I can turn it around. It’s not easy, but if you work hard and do all the right things in practice, then it generally does come [good].

“The five-set format has definitely helped that. I have maybe not been as anxious going into some of the matches, because I know there is some time to turn it around. But mentally I feel pretty good just now. I’m happy with how the match was today.” Saturday’s match began with an 83-minute first set, which was only seven minutes less than Rafael Nadal needed to hand out a 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 thrashing to Nikoloz Basilashvili in his own third-round match on Friday.

Del Potro, the Olympic silver medallist, would be ranked far higher than No 30 if he were not still working his way back from career-threatening wrist injuries.

“His forehand is a big shot,” said Murray afterwards. “That’s where you need to be smart when you’re playing against him. If he smokes a forehand on the run, you notice it.”

Murray will play either the 21st seed John Isner or 21-year-old Russian Karen Khachanov in the fourth round, with their match resuming today with Khachanov having won the first set.