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Andy Murray has reached the second round of the French Open, but needed five sets and two days to finally overcome Radek Stephanek 3-6 3-6 6-0 6-3 7-5.
Due to bad light, the match had been suspended in the fourth set as the Czech’s exceptional display of variety and craft saw him earn a two set lead, before the Brit regrouped to hit back emphatically. When play resumed with Murray up a break in the fourth set, the world number two maintained his focus to hold off his opponent and ensure a deciding set. In the fifth set, Stephanek continued his high level of tennis and was two points away from winning the match when Murray served 5-4 down, but the Brit dug deep to level the scoreline and in the following game, he fully capitalised on a series of errors from his opponent to break and eventually complete the comeback.
As for the other Brits, Kyle Edmund, Aljaz Bedene and Heather Watson also progressed into the next round, but Johanna Konta, Laura Robson and Naomi Broady suffered defeats.
Similar to Murray, Wawrinka was given an early examination by the dangerous Lukas Rosol, but the reigning champion secured a five set win to join Kei Nishikori in the next round, whilst Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson made early exits.
Rafael Nadal opened his campaign for a tenth Roland Garros title with a 6-1 6-1 6-1 demolition of Sam Groth, as Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer and home favourite Jo Wilfried Tsonga also enjoyed straight set wins.
On the women’s side, the defending champion Serena Williams dispatched Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2 6-0 as her sister Venus, Ana Ivanovic and Agnieszka Radwanska all progressed. But, Kiki Bertens caused an upset in edging Angelique Kerber 6-2 3-6 6-3, whilst Victoria Azarenka was forced to withdraw with a knee injury in the third set against her opponent Karin Knapp.
