Rafael Nadal escaped one of the biggest upsets in tennis history after fighting back from two sets to one down to beat American John Isner 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4 in his Roland Garros opener on Tuesday.
The defending champion, bidding for a record-equalling sixth title in Paris, had never previously dropped a set in the tournament's first round but came close to a huge shock against the big-serving World No.39.
Fourth seed Andy Murray comfortably moved into the second round by dispatching stylish French qualifier Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 and No.5 Robin Soderling, runner-up for the last two years, got past American lucky loser Ryan Harrison 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5.
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There was a shock defeat for 11th-seeded claycourt specialist Nicolas Almagro of Spain who lost 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-4 to Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot.
On the women's side, Ana Ivanovic, the 23-year-old 20th seed, was a shock first-round casualty, losing 7-6(3), 0-6, 6-2 to Sweden's World No.64 Johanna Larsson.
A tearful Ivanovic, the 2008 champion and former World No.1, said: “It is very frustrating. It's inflammation of the wrist but I didn't suffer it playing, I woke up with the problem. The bone has slipped and has caused friction. I'm very upset.”
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Seventh-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova had little trouble disposing of Croatian veteran Mirjana Lucic 6-3, 6-0.
Tight match
Isner saved four break points at 3-3 in the first set before conceding the break. Nadal closed out the set and then broke Isner in the opening game of the second set, only for the American to break back in game eight. Isner took the tie-break to level the match.
Nadal spurned two set points in the third set allowing Isner to drag him into another tie-break. Once again, Isner stepped it up to take a two sets to one lead.
Nadal stopped the rot by breaking in the third game of the fourth set, before levelling the match. Isner quickly found himself a break down in the decider. Unable to make inroads on Nadal's serve, he survived one match point on his own serve but then came off second-best in an epic rally to hand Nadal another match point that the Spaniard converted with barely concealed relief.
“I had a feeling that, if I just put forth a good effort and gave it my all, I could give him a good shot and even win the match,” said Isner.
“What it came down to was the way he played in the fourth and fifth sets. I've never seen tennis like that, ever. That's why he's No.1 in the world and one of the greatest players ever.”
Devvarman loses
Meanwhile, Somdev Devvarman crashed out in the first round, falling 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to World No.37 Ivan Ljubicic.
Sania Mirza and her partner Elena Vesnina moved into the second round of the women's doubles event with a 7-6(2), 6-2 win over Russians Vera Dushevina and Ekaterina Makarova.