What was billed as an opening day classic between two old warriors turned into a damp squib as Stan Wawrinka crushed Andy Murray 6-1 6-3 6-2 at the French Open on Sunday.
The last time they met on Court Philippe Chatrier, in the 2017 semi-final, Wawrinka came through a five-set slugfest but this time it proved a painfully one-sided affair against a flat Murray.
When the opening three games on a near-empty showcourt took around 20 minutes, another battle royal looked possible between the players who both own three grand slam titles.
But as 16th seed Wawrinka, champion in Paris in 2015, raised his game, Murray, who wore black leggings on a chilly day, capitulated alarmingly with his trademark battling qualities conspicuous by their absence.
Swiss 35-year-old Wawrinka struck 42 winners to Murray’s 10 as he powered to victory in one hour 37 minutes.
“I need to have a long hard think about it. It’s not the sort of match I would just brush aside and not think about it,” said Murray.
“I need to understand why the performance was like that.”
While Murray was a shadow of his former self, Wawrinka, who plays 61st-ranked Dominik Koepfer of Germany next, fired a warning that he could be a threat.
With the conditions likely to remain heavy, Wawrinka will be confident of an extended run.
“I’ve had some amazing matches with Andy,” he said.
“I was expecting a tough match. But I was really focused. Even if the scoreboard is one-sided like today, you never know what can happen.
“It’s great to be back, great to feel that way, and looking forward for the next match.”
Japan’s Kei Nishikori surrendered two sets 6-1 but still managed to battle past Britain’s Dan Evans on Sunday and into the second round.
The 30-year-old, playing only his fifth match of the season after a recovery from elbow surgery, won 1-6 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 6-4.
The world No.35, who has now won 24 of his 30 five-set matches in grand slams, will take on Italy’s Stefano Travaglia.
Big-serving American John Isner said it was “bit nasty out there” after coming through his opening round, but had few complaints about the conditions.
The 35-year-old Texas resident does not usually play in chill winds and drizzle on a damp claycourt, but the 21st seed still impressed in a 6-4 6-1 6-3 defeat of French wildcard Elliot Benchetrit in one hour 42 minutes.
While many players moaned about the conditions, the heavy balls and the lack of atmosphere in a largely-empty Roland Garros, Isner was upbeat.
“It’s been more than two years since I’ve stepped foot on clay,” said Isner.
“But with how the clay is now, I think it almost helps me in the sense that the really good movers can’t slide around like they normally can because the clay’s really damp.”
Isner praised the job the French federation had done in getting the tournament on, although he said the health restrictions imposed because of the pandemic had given the tournament a very different feel.
“I think just the fact that we’re playing in September and October, it’s never been done before here,” he said.
“Having no fans stinks. The atmosphere at this event is unbelievable, one of the best we have all year long. We don’t have that right now.”