Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams had no trouble in reaching round two at the French Open, both posting emphatic wins to begin their tournaments on a day where some other high seeds struggled.
Djokovic and Nadal waste no time, Murray sneaks through
Djokovic is off to a trouble free start as he begins his annual quest to complete the career Grand Slam in Paris. The world number one hit 35 winners and broke serve seven times on his way to defeating Yen Hsun Lu for the loss of just five games. The Serbian starts the tournament as favourite, and will be pleased to have completed the match quickly.
Rafael Nadal was in even more impressive form, defeating big server Sam Groth 6-1 6-1 6-1. The nine-time champion hit just three unforced errors, and managed to win 59% of points on his opponent's feared serve. Nadal, seeded four in Paris in Roger Federer's absence, is seeking his tenth title in Roland Garros, and is off to a near-perfect start.
Andy Murray returned to complete his first round match with Radek Stepanek, having been trailing by two sets to one overnight. The world number two was able to hold on to his advantage of a break in the fourth set to take it 6-3 and get the match on level terms. The final set was a close one, with Murray looking the more dominant on serve until he found himself serving to stay in the match at 4-5. At 30-30 and deuce, Stepanek found himself two points from victory, but the Scot held his nerve to win the next three games to claim victory. Murray will return to the court today for his second round match - his third day of play in a row. The British number one is joined in round two by the British numbers two and three, Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund, both of whom won today.
Elsewhere in the men's tournament, there were easy wins for David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Dominic Theim, a popular dark horse this fortnight, also progressed.
Serena untroubled on day of upsets
Serena's win was emphatic, as she won 61% of points on return during a 6-2 6-0 win that underlined her power after a tricky few months. After a barren start to the year, her Rome title and excellent start here suggest she'll once again take some stopping this fortnight.
Day three of the women's tournament featured a trickier day for the top seeds than for their male counterparts, however, with some notable upsets.
Victoria Azarenka's injury problems continued after an excellent start to the year which has seen her rise back inside the top ten. Trailing 0-4 in the final set of her match with Karin Knapp, she was forced to retire after having fought hard to take the second set of the match.
The biggest surprise of the day was the defeat of Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, who went down in three sets to Kiki Bertens. Kerber will be devastated not to back up her first major title in Melbourne with a strong showing in Paris.
Elsewhere there were wins for Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Carla Suarrez Navarro, but defeats for Brits Laura Robson and Johanna Konta.
All results
[1] Novak Djokovic d. Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1
[2] Andy Murray d. Radek Stepanek: 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5
[4] Rafael Nadal d. Sam Froth, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1
[6] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
[7] Tomas Berdych d. Vasek Pospisil, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
[11] David Ferrer d. Evgeny Donskoy, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0
[12] David Goffin d. Gregoire Barrere, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
[13] Dominic Thiem d. Inigo Cervantes, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1
[14] Roberto Bautista Agut d. Dmitry Tursuno, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
[15] John Isner d. John Millman: 6-7(4), 7-6(12), 7-6(7), 7-5
Stephane Robert d. [18] Kevin Anderson, 6-4, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5.
[20] Bernard Tomic d. Brian Baker, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
[21] Feliciano Lopez d. Thomas Fabbiano, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Nicolas Almagro d. [24] Philipp Kohlschreiber, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4
[25] Pablo Cuevas d. Tobias Kamke, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6
[26] Joao Sousa d. Damir Dzumhur, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
[29] Lucas Pouille d. Julien Benneteau: 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4)
Pablo Carreno Busa d. [31] Federico Delbonis, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
[32] Fabio Fognini d. Marcel Granollers, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3
[1] Serena Williams d. Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-2, 6-0
Kiki Bertens d. [3] Angeligue Kerber, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Karin Knapp d. [5] Victoria Azarenka, 6-3, 6-7, 4-0 (ret.)
[8] Timea Bacsinszky d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa, 6-3, 6-1
[9] Venus Williams d. Anett Kontaveit, 7-6, 7-6
[12] Carla Suarez Navarro d. Katerina Siniakova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
[14] Ana Ivanovic d. Oceane Dodin, 6-0, 5-7, 6-2
[15] Madison Keys d. Donna Vekic, 6-3, 6-2
[18] Elina Svitolina d. Sorana Cirstea, 6-1, 6-3
Julia Georges d. [20] Johanna Konta, 6-2, 6-3
[21] Samantha Stosur d. Misaki Doi, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
[22] Dominika Cibulkova d. Saisai Zheng, 6-3, 6-1
Tatjana Maria d. [23] Jelena Jankovic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
[26] Kristina Mladenovic d. Francesca Schiavone, 6-2, 6-4
[27] Ekaterina Makarova d. Varvara Lepchenko, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
[28] Andrea Petkovic d. Laura Robson, 6-2, 6-2
[29] Daria Kasatkina d. Anna-Lena Friedsam, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
Pauline Parmentier d. Monica Niculescu, 6-3, 7-6(2)