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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher, Stuart Goodwin (briefly)

French Open 2016: Heather Watson in action as Kyrgios wins on day one – as it happened

Heather Watson
Heather Watson returns to Nicole Gibbs on day one of the French Open. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Play has been suspended for the day

Organisers at Roland Garros, who are at present coming for a great deal of flak for not being able to magic up a roof or two, have decided that enough is enough and that is that until tomorrow.

So Watson resumes with work to do, trailing 2-1 in the deciding set with Gibbs serving and 40-30 to the good. In her favour however is that on both occasions she has started far better than Gibbs.

That’s all from me. Thanks very much for reading and sending in your emails, do return tomorrow where there will be a bumper day of action, provided the weather holds.

Updated

Jack Sock and Robin Haase actually managed to finish their fourth-set tie-break before the covers came on. Haase won it to force a fifth and deciding set.

Elsewhere, Germany’s Dustin Brown took the third set against Dudi Sela and now leads two sets to one while Svetlana Kuznetsova is 3-1 up in the decider against Yaroslava Shvedova and Aliaksandra Sasnovich is 2-1 up in her deciding set against Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey, who have conceded an early goal against England.

And play has been suspended all around Roland Garros …

Just to update you, Kei Nishikori won his second set against Simone Bolelli 7-5 to take a two-set lead while Jack Sock’s marathon match with Robin Haase is into a fourth set tie-break. Sock leads two sets to one but Haase is 5-2 up in the tie-break.

Rain stops play

Third set: Gibbs* 2-1 Watson (*denotes server): Watson steps on to the offensive and then some and wins the first point with a thunderous forehand. She knocks one wide but Watson eventually wears Gibbs down for 15-30. Gibbs rallies though and earns two hard-fought points. Watson has a word with the umpire about the weather and he agrees it’s time to go off I’m afraid …

Third set: Gibbs 2-1* Watson (*denotes server): As the rain keeps coming Gibbs continues to gain a foothold again and Watson trails 0-30. A forehand drifts just wide from Watson and now Gibbs has three break points. The first is saved with a textbook forehand volley. On the second, Gibbs goes for a drop shot but it just clips the net and comes back on to her side. One left. And Gibbs takes it – Watson did everything right except failing to commit to the decisive volley which dribbles into the net.

Third set: Gibbs* 1-1 Watson (*denotes server): Gibbs finds her feet with a cross-court backhand and an impressive first serve for 30-0 but shoves one into the net for 30-15. A wild forehand from Watson and an ace earns Gibbs her first game since the rain delay though.

Third set: Gibbs 0-1* Watson (*denotes server): Into the decider then and Watson is showing no signs of letting up. Gibbs is being hurried into mistakes and Watson moves ahead 30-15. Gibbs levels at 30-30 but a gruelling rally ends when Watson stretches for a lovely volley. A fine forehand winner makes it four games in a row for the Brit. The only problem being that the rain is coming down again.

Watson wins the second set

Second set: Gibbs* 2-6 Watson (*denotes server): Watson is a player transformed and takes a 0-30 lead with an excellent forehand volley. Gibbs responds but stepping on to the attack but a superb Watson drop shot brings two set points. A strong first serve saves one for Gibbs, and another so we’ll have a deuce. But Watson goes for the drop shot again and it’s a third set point. And this time it’s successful with a forceful return. All square at one set apiece.

Watson takes the second set.
Watson takes the second set. Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Second set: Gibbs 2-5 Watson* (*denotes server): Watson’s problem earlier was backing that kind of thing up on her own serve. It doesn’t look like being a problem here though. Gibbs is rattled and two errors give Watson a 30-0 lead before a ruthless winner makes it 40-0. And that’s the game, courtesy of a net cord that, while Gibbs could easily make it, disrupted her rhythm somewhat.

Second set: Gibbs* 2-4 Watson (*denotes server): A drop shot to begin with from Watson demonstrates little signs of rust and then a cross-court backhand volley shows no little aggression from the Brit. Another swinging volley doesn’t go quite right but Watson picks up the next point for two break points. She needs just one – that was a statement of intent.

I believe this means that the last two matches scheduled on each court have been cancelled. In better news, Watson and Gibbs are warming up and will resume shortly.

The covers are off on court three, and elsewhere at Roland Garros, so Heather Watson will resume against Nicole Gibbs shortly.

Just to remind you, Watson is a set down but 3-2 up in the second, which is on serve.

There appears to be some movement on the courts …

Andrew has been in touch with another question, can anyone assist?

Ahah, so the French DO give a f**k about tennis! Makes much sense. Vive....

Here’s another one - what effect would Brexit have on European tennis tournaments, if it were to go ahead? Should tennis fans vote Remain, or Leave, to maximise their tennis pleasure?

Make of this what you will …

An important update for you … I’m reliably informed that the French Open begins on Sunday because, due to the surface used at Roland Garros, namely clay, rallies and therefore matches take longer and therefore the extra day is required.

Another update now. Roland Garros officials say play will resume no earlier than 5.30pm, which is 4.30pm BST.

A bit more reading for you, Kevin Mitchell again on Laura Robson who is thankfully injury-free on the eve of her Roland Garros campaign.

This was inevitable I suppose but the French Open organisers have started to cancel matches that were scheduled to be last on court. Here is some news of one of those cancellations and I’ll have updates as and when they’re announced.

Simon McMahon has been in touch and has an answer for Andrew, although I’m not sure it’s the one he was expecting …

Afternoon Gerard. After what happened in Rome last week, I’m genuinely excited about the next fortnight in Paris. In answer to Andrew’s question, I think the French simply don’t give a f**k.

While we wait for the rain to clear in Paris, do have a read of this – Kevin Mitchell analyses Andy Murray’s hopes of a maiden grand slam on clay.

We’ve had an email from Andrew Benton in China, anyone able to provide him with an answer?

Gerard,

What’s the raison d’etre for starting on a sunday? Or it is merely de riguer to have a three weekend slam these days? I feared I had slept through Sunday and gone straight to Monday when I saw the commentary link...

Vive le tennis!(?)

Andrew

Looks like we’re facing a break of at least another hour or so (4.30pm in Paris is 3.30pm BST) …

Updated

Stuart here, while Gerard legs it up the road for a spot of scran.

Quick round-up of scores elsewhere while the rain intervenes …

On Suzanne-Lenglen, Lucie Safarova, the world No13 from the Czech Republic, looks unlikely to face an early exit – she sits 6-0, 1-0 up against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko.

The same can’t be said just yet for Svetlana Kuznetsova, the world No15, who dropped the first set against Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan before rallying in the second. She’ll restart after the delay 4-6, 3-0 down.

The only other women’s singles match was out on court 17, where the world’s No100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich leads a tight one against qualifier Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey 7-5, 5-5 – Buyukakcay will serve next when they return.

In the men’s draw, Jack Sock, seeded 23, is two sets to one up against Robin Haase. He leads 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-1.

The gloriously dreadlocked Dustin Brown of Germany, meanwhile, is one set-all against Israel’s Dudi Sela. He dropped the first in a tie-break before recovering to take the second – current score (Sela first) is 7-6, 4-6, 4-4.

Dustin Brown
Dustin Brown in action against Dudi Sela of Israel in their first round match. Photograph: Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA

Updated

Play has been suspended all around Roland Garros with Kei Nishikori closing in on a two-set lead against Simone Bolelli, he’s 6-1, 5-4 to the good.

Rain stops play

Watson gets her wish as the rain gets heavier and forces the players off court.

Second set: Gibbs 2-3 Watson* (*denotes server): Watson opens with a double fault but she responds gamely to take the next three points, the last of them with a forehand volley. Some impressive defence from Gibbs forces a deuce as Watson is made to dig deep again as the rain gets heavier but the Brit fires down an ace and seals the game with a volley.

Watson returns.
Watson returns. Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

Updated

Second set: Gibbs* 2-2 Watson (*denotes server): Watson climbs into a backhand return after a pretty average second serve from Gibbs for 15-15 but the American responds with a fine cross-court winner. It’s 40-15 after a loose forehand from Watson but she recovers to force deuce. And after a series of them Gibbs holds for 2-2.

Second set: Gibbs 1-2 Watson* (*denotes server): Watson is going to pieces a little here. She’s 0-30 down in double quick time. Gibbs made her work for that point but Watson holds her nerve to finally put the ball away. 15-30. Good scrambling from Watson and a far better overhead and it’s 40-30 … and Watson holds. She’ll be very pleased with that having been 0-30 down.

Second set: Gibbs* 1-1 Watson (*denotes server): Watson shows the confidence to come to the net but that’s a pretty rank volley to start the game with but the Brit dispatches a backhand down the line for 15-15. Another lucky net cord gives Watson a sniff though but another backhand drifts long. Watson keeps plugging away and earns a break point, and she really should have taken it there, shoving a forehand wide with the court gaping. And it gets worse for Watson, missing another sitter, this time an overhead, before pulling a forehand. Watson isn’t happy but that’s the game for Gibbs.

Second set: Gibbs 0-1 Watson* (*denotes server): A solid start from Watson who appears to have regrouped well. A lucky net cord comes in handy though, for 40-15 and a timely first serve brings about a confident hold. Watson will be pleased with that.

Gibbs win the first set

First set: Gibbs* 7-5 Watson (*denotes server): Gibbs still looks pretty tense – this is going to be far from a formality but Watson is doing her a favour with another long forehand. A driven backhand down the line from Gibbs brings about two sets points but Watson saves the first with a precise lob and a thunderous forehand winner. Watson finds the net on the next though and Gibbs takes the first set.

Gibbs takes the first set.
Gibbs takes the first set. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Updated

First set: Gibbs 6-5 Watson* (*denotes server): Watson’s tail is up now and a drop shot with some lovely disguise earns her 15-0. Not the time for a first double fault though and it leads Watson to discuss the weather with the umpire. Very British. She pushes another one long and Watson again complains about the weather. She’s not happy but regroups for 30-30 when Gibbs hits the ball into the net.

Break point to Gibbs with another of those driven forehand volleys and the break comes with Watson again shoving long. Gibbs will have to steady herself to serve for the set though.

First set: Gibbs* 5-5 Watson (*denotes server): A chance goes begging there for Watson with a fairly poor attempt at a dinked winner, having reached the drop shot but she responds well for 15-15. Gibbs turns the screw to take a 30-15 lead and close in on the first set … but Watson thrashes a backhand across court for 30-30. It’s a set point for Gibbs though after an impressive serve, but we’re at deuce when Gibbs finds the tram line, a little anxiously. Watson capitalises for a break point and Gibbs shoves one long. Games. Gibbs made a mess of that.

Here’s the report on Nick Kyrgios’s straight sets win over Marco Cecchinato for your perusal …

First set: Gibbs 5-4 *Watson (*denotes server): Watson in a bit of trouble after hooking a forehand long – 0-30 down, she gets one back but a drive volley from Gibbs brings up two break points. The Brit saves the first, Gibbs goes long, but Watson does likewise and she’s broken again. That’s quite the shift in momentum as the rain begins to fall again.

First set: Gibbs* 4-4 Watson (*denotes server): 15-15 and then Gibbs finds the tram line with a forehand and Watson will smell a chance here. A looping rally from the back of the court ends when Gibbs again goes just wide and two break points for Watson. The first goes begging as Watson’s return is off target, and we’re back to deuce after some excellent defence from Gibbs once more.

Gibbs uses the drop shot to good effect for advantage and when Watson tries one of her own and finds the net, it’s game. An impressive hold that.

First set: Gibbs 3-4 Watson* (*denotes server): A lovely inside out forehand from Watson makes it 15-0 and promptly establishes a 40-0 lead. And it’s a hold to love for Watson who edges back ahead.

First set: Gibbs* 3-3 Watson (*denotes server): Gibbs comes to the net and gets a lucky net cord for 15-0 but Watson hits back and has a bit of a shout. Gibbs reasserts herself though and after Watson dumps one long it’s 40-15 … and game when Watson reaches a drop shot but can’t do anything with it.

Watson returns a forehand.
Watson returns a forehand. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Updated

First set: Gibbs 2-3 Watson* (*denotes server): Watson makes hard work of backing up the break as Gibbs’ defence proves pretty impenetrable and the American earns herself two break-back points. Watson saves the first despite some more scrambling from Gibbs and saves the second for deuce.

Another break point for Gibbs after Watson tugs a forehand into the tram line but after some great defence from Watson, Gibbs drills one into the net and we’re back to deuce.

Here’s another for Watson to try and save and after pushing a backhand long she isn’t able to. Back on serve.

First set: Gibbs* 1-3 Watson (*denotes server): Watson grinds herself to 40-15 and two break points after a relentless rally. And a double fault gifts Watson the break.

Straight to court three now where it’s the early stages of Heather Watson against her doubles partner Nicole Gibbs. It’s one game all in the first set …

Updated

Game, set and match Kyrgios (7-6, 7-6, 6-4)

Third set: Kyrgios* 6-4 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios is teeing off but can’t quite fins his range. He grinds himself to a 30-15 lead however and it’s two more match points after a lung-busting rally. And that’s finally it as Cecchinato thwacks one into the net.

Kyrgios just had a little too much power for Cecchinato in the end. Only one break of serve but the Australian was able to raise himself in the tie-breaks and while Cecchinato was superb when facing break point, he was not so good when presented a chance by Kyrgios.

Time for a quick comfort break …


Third set: Kyrgios 5-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato serves to stay in the match and after taking the first point, Kyrgios wins the next two, make that three as the Australian ups the tempo. Two match points … and he really should have won it on the first but Cecchinato gambles and hits a backhand winner. No2 goes begging as well. Deuce. Advantage Cecchinato. Game Cecchinato. That’s some hold, and fully deserved.

Third set: Kyrgios* 5-3 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Krygios is making a bit of a meal of this. A sloppy backhand goes long but yet again his serve digs him out of trouble. Cecchinato digs in again to for 40-30 and it’s game, despite a remarkable return from Cecchinato as his next shot finds the net.

Third set: Kyrgios 4-3 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Well that looked easy enough for Cecchinato, or it was at 40-0 until a pretty limp attempt at a volley from the Italian. He may regret it as Kyrgios wins the next point, and now it’s deuce. But Cecchinato eventually holds to prolong the inevitable.

Third set: Kyrgios* 4-2 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios is wasting little time and opens up with an ace. 15-0 quickly becomes 30-0 as Cecchinato shows a bit of tiredness and it’s 40-0 with a booming smash. Game. This one is nearing an end …

Third set: Kyrgios 3-2 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato continues to scrap, loses the first point but levels at 15-15 with a thumping backhand. Krygios moves ahead again though with a backhand right down the line but again Cecchinato responds. 30-30. Break point after Cecchinato ends a rally by finding the net and finally Krygios has a break, at the 11th time of asking, after the most untimely of double faults.

Third set: Kyrgios* 2-2 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Krygios is at it again – a couple of fierce serves bring up a 30-0 lead. Make that 40-0 after Cecchinato barely gets a racket on another huge serve, and an impressive hold with a forehand winner.

Third set: Kyrgios 1-2 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato finally gets a drop shot wrong and he’s 15-30 down here. Needs to dig deep. But it’s two break points for Krygios. Cecchinato saves one with a backhand, shot from the hip, and that’s 10 out of 10 break points saved after Kyrgios runs around a second serve and wallops into orbit. And Cecchinato holds. He’s not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Third set: Kyrgios* 1-1 Cecchinato (*denotes server): A wonderful forehand down the line from Cecchinato brings up 15-15 and Krygios is having a mini wobble. 15-30. It doesn’t last long though as Krygios grinds down his opponent for 30-30 but a sloppy shot into the net brings us a break point for Cecchinato. Krygios responds pretty emphatically though and it’s game when Cecchinato pulls a forehand wide. Cecchinato can’t quite take advantage when given a chance.

Third set: Kyrgios 0-1 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato does well to move into a 30-0 lead after that disappointment with a cross-court dink and then he climbs into a forehand to take a 40-0 lead. And that’s game, to love, good response.

Elsewhere, Kovinic has won the second set against Kvitova while Albot and Paire also have a set apiece.

Kyrgios wins second set 7-6

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios 3-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): The first set point of the tie-break for Kyrgios, and he takes it in style with a blistering backhand down the line. That’s going to be tough for Cecchinato to take.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios* 7-6 Cecchinato (*denotes server): More power from Krygios and Cecchinato drills a forehand into the net. Another change of ends and an ace from Krygios keeps us on serve.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios 5-6 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Two set points after Cecchinato thrashes a forehand winner, applauded by Krygios, who wins the next point with a series of walloping forehands and a drop shot.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios* 5-4 Cecchinato (*denotes server): A double fault gives Cecchinato a sniff but Kyrgios recovers well.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios 3-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato pulls level before the change of ends … and takes the lead when Krygios finds the tram line with a backhand.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios* 3-2 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Wow. Twice Krygios had the chance to put the rally to bed but on both occasions Cecchinato somehow got the ball back before Krygios went long. An ace keeps Kyrgios’s nose ahead though.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios 2-1 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato responds with a forehand winner of his own, but Kyrgios produces another, across the court, to edge in front.

Second set tie-break: Kyrgios* 1-0 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Krygios thwacks one of his booming forehands to take the lead.

Second set: Kyrgios 6-6 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios prospers from a net cord for 15-15 after a confident point for Cecchinato but Kyrgios benefits from a poor shot from the Italian. It’s 30-30 quickly enough but when Cecchinato finds the net it’s another set point for Kyrgios … deuce though, after a fine first serve. Yowsers. Advantage Cecchinato with an expert drop shot from the back of the court and a perfect lob takes us to another tie-break.

Second set: Kyrgios* 6-5 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios is getting a bit hot under the collar again but he’s rattling through this one and digs out a drop shot of his own before another ace seals another game to love. Pressure back on Cecchinato now.

Second set: Kyrgios 5-5 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios may look to attack here but distracts himself with a jibe at the umpire. A bad miss from Cecchinato makes it 15-15 though and an aggressive return from Kyrgios makes it 15-30. Big point. And after a great reach from Kyrigios, Cecchinato again clips the top of the net. Two set points for Krygios. … Cecchinato saves the first with a blockbusting forehand, and the second with an outrageous drop shot. Deuce. Advantage Cecchinato with an ace, and it’s game when Kyrgios drills one into the net. A very impressive hold from Cecchinato.

Second set: Kyrgios* 5-4 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios hits back with another hold to love as the set enters the business end. I smell another tie-break.

Second set: Kyrgios 4-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Splendid! A terrific rally ends when Kyrgios goes through the legs to try and lob Cecchinato. He can’t quite get it high enough and Cecchinato wins the point with a volley, then Krygios tries again on the next point! He can’t get that one in either and with two aces it’s a hold to love for the Italian.

Second set: Kyrgios* 4-3 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios takes command with a 30-0 lead but Cecchinato goes to his drop shot and this one’s good. Very good. No matter for Kyrgios though. Two first serves yield two quick points.

Second set: Kyrgios 3-3 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): That will please Cecchinato. The Italian moves into a straightforward 40-0 lead and while an audacious drop shot doesn’t quite make it over the net it’s a simple enough hold when Kyrgios hits the net.

Meanwhile …


Second set: Kyrgios* 3-2 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Woooooosh. Cecchinato gambles as Kyrgios looks all set to bury a forehand deep beneath the clay, and sweeps a backhand winner. That excited the ever-growing crowd. Kyrgios brings it back to 15-15 before a quick change of racket. It looks to be working order and after an excellent second serve and a powerful overhead leads to 40-15. Ace. Game

Second set: Kyrgios 2-2 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): That’s wild from Kyrgios and he’s not too happy with himself but Kyrgios takes the next two points. Cecchinato counters with a forehand into acres of space cross-court and Kyrgios shoves a backhand long and mullers a forehand down the line for another hold.

Second set: Kyrgios* 2-1 Cecchinato (*denotes server): The second set slips into a familiar pattern with Kyrgios racing through his service games after Cecchinato is forced to fight for his. Kyrgios holds to love.

Second set: Kyrgios 1-1 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): What nonchalance! A rally at the net ends with an impudent forehand from Kyrgios that wrong foots Cecchinato and he’s struggling at 0-30 down now. A hefty first serve brings it back to 15-30 though but two break points follow … the first is saved with a delightful half volley pick-up and the second with Cecchinato’s first ace. Deuce. Advantage Kyrgios after a gruelling rally … but we’re back to deuce when Kyrgios shoves one long and bellows his disgruntlement with himself. And Cecchinato serves out so we’re still awaiting our first break of the match.

Second set: Kyrgios* 1-0 Cecchinato (*denotes server): How much is that tie-break going to take out of Cecchinato? Well Kyrgios seems to have settled down a bit after his set to with the umpire and after easing into a 40-15 lead it’s game when Cecchinato pushes long.

Over on Philippe Chatrier, Petra Kvitova is in command against Danka Kovinic. She’s taken the first set 6-2 and is 3-0 up in the second.

Petra Kvitova serves to Danka Kovinic.
Petra Kvitova serves to Danka Kovinic. Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Kyrgios wins first set 7-6

First set tie-break: Kyrgios* 8-6 Cecchinato (*denotes server): And after a gruelling rally, Krgyios finally seals the set. There’s no doubting he was putting a lot more welly into his groundstrokes there and eventually Cecchinato was worn down.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios 7-6 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): It’s level at 6-6 after an excellent point from Cecchinato is finished with a comfortable backhand winner but Krygios follows suit with a lot more oomph. It’s a third set point for Kyrgios.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios* 6-5 Cecchinato (denotes server): Two set points as Kyrgios keeps it together despite his obvious anger but a stop volley drifts into the tram line and it’s back to one point in it.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios 5-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios unloads on a forehand that Cecchinato does well to get his racket to but the ball flops into the net but a long backhand from the Australian keeps Cecchinato in this contest.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios* 4-3 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Umps is having a word with Kyrgios here. A ticking off for the Australian, apparently for the way he said something rather than what he said. He’s not going to let it lie though and they’re having words again. In between he thumps a forehand winner. And then thumps a forehand into the net.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios 3-2 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios levels, and he’s pretty happy with himself about it, and takes the lead with an overhead winner. Kyrgios has ramped things up a gear.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios* 1-2 Cecchinato (denotes server): Cecchinato moves further ahead but with a chance for 3-0 he pushes one long.

Updated

First set tie-break: Kyrgios 0-1 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): On serve to begin with after Kyrgios reaches a drop shot but can’t do anything with it.

Updated

First set: Kyrgios* 6-6 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios serves to stay in the set but shows few signs of nerves. Cecchinato makes him work for the points but the first three are his … and it’s a tie-break. Oooosh.

First set: Kyrgios 5-6 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios has taken advantage of a bit of naivety from Cecchinato to move into a 0-30 lead but Cecchinato responds with a decent serve for 15-30 and puts away a brilliant forehand after another lengthy rally. 40-30 comes after another lung-buster than has Kyrgios at full stretch and it’s game after Kyrgios pushes one wide.

First set: Kyrgios* 5-5 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Cecchinato claims the first of the four points he needs, then the second with a lovely backhand stop volley. Kyrgios is getting a bit tetchy but thunders a forehand for 30-15 after waiting an eternity for the ball to drop. An ace restores parity at 30-30 – a second serve ace no less – and it’s 40-30 with another ace. Kyrgios’s eighth. And he serves out for an impressive hold, all be told.

First set: Kyrgios 4-5 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): There’s that drop shot from Cecchinato again and Krygios is nowhere near it. But just as Cecchinato starts taking control an explosive forehand down the line from Kyrgios brings him down to earth. Kyrgios finds the net though when he really ought to have taken advantage of an average second serve but does win the net point when Cecchinato shoves it into the net. No matter, Cecchinato shows his touch again to move to within a game of the first set.

First set: Kyrgios* 4-4 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Wowsers. Cecchinato outguns Krygios in a battle of the forehands with a superb winner but Kyrgios responds with a couple of swift points. Make that three swifties but an excellent return from Cecchinato brings up 40-30. Now it’s deuce … but Kyrgios’s blockbuster serve wraps up the game.

First set: Kyrgios 3-4 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): These two like to give the ball a wallop don’t they. The opening point goes Cecchinato’s way after a draining rally and it’s 30-0 when Kyrgios dribbles one into the net. Cecchinato wraps up the game with a well measured backhand after the ball sits up via a net cord, and that’s game.

First set: Kyrgios* 3-3 Cecchinato (*denotes server): A rally on Kyrgios’ serve … but no point for Cecchinato yet. Scrap that, he’s got one after a nasty looking fall for Kyrgios at the net. He seems alright though and is helped up by Cecchinato. A nice touch. It’s 30-30 but the rain is coming down now … a ferocious forehand from Kyrgios ends a fierce rally and an ace makes it 3-3. Looks like they’re going to continue …

Nick Kyrgios returns during the first round of the French Open.
Nick Kyrgios returns during the first round of the French Open. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Updated

First set: Kyrgios 2-3 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): There’s no doubting that Cecchinato is having to scrap a lot harder and while he looks solid defensively, an emphatic backhand down the line brings up 15-15 and when Cecchinato hits the net for 15-30, Kyrgios bellows a ‘come on’. Cecchinato levels with a forehand that wrong foots Kyrgios and nicks the line and closes out the game. He will not let Kyrgios have it all his own way in the opening set.

Updated

First set: Kyrgios* 2-2 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios looks in a hurry and again he races to a 40-0 lead – he’s yet to drop a point on his serve – and he wraps it up for 2-2. His eye is most certainly in when it comes to serving.

Updated

First set: Kyrgios 1-2 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Kyrgios appears to be in the mood – a cross-court backhand winner finishes off a lengthy rally but it’s 15-15 after a silky drop shot. Cecchinato then ekes out a 40-15 lead but a pretty awful attempt at another drop shot finds the net. Unperturbed he tries again, and with the same result so it’s deuce but the Italian serves it out easily enough. On serve so far.

Updated

First set: Kyrgios* 1-1 Cecchinato (*denotes server): Kyrgios opens up with some authority – two booming first serves yield two swift points, make that three with the most casual of forehand winners, and that’s game, in double quick time.

Updated

First set: Kyrgios 0-1 Cecchinato* (*denotes server): Cecchinato gets us underway and it’s a bit sluggish but after losing the first two points without Kyrgios having to do much, he brings it to 30-30 with a powerful forehand. He shoves one long though and it’s break point … but Kyrgios blasts into the net. Deuce. After exchanging points Kyrgios has another break point after a delicious backhand volley but he whacks another into the net.

This is a marathon opening game, suppose the rain helps in that regard, but Cecchinato finally closes it out and he’ll be feeling relieved that he managed to do so. Kyrgios has developed an early affinity with the net.

Updated

Kyrgios does not have great form in Paris, he’s never progressed beyond the third round, while Cecchinato is making his first appearance at Roland Garros in the main competition … he’s ranked 124th in the world so Kyrgios should not have too many problems but with him you never know really.

A brief interlude for you … John Inverdale, helming ITV 4’s coverage, has just wondered aloud why so many tennis players are based in Monte Carlo … hmmm, tough one John. Anyone got any ideas?

And here come Petra Kvitova and Dnaka Kovinic, while Nick Kyrgios and Marco Cecchinato are alreafy on court one.

There are very few spectators on the courts at the moment but we can expect it to fill up later – security is understandably tight and the weather is no doubt having an effect. Kyrgios and Cecchinato are warming up … we’ll focus on that one first up.

The weather is looking pretty bleak at Roland Garros but we are going to have some tennis! Woooooop. Play is set to begin on Philippe Chatrier fairly shortly … so be sure to stay tuned.

Updated

Hello! And welcome to a soggy opening Sunday at Roland Garros. The heavens have opened in Paris but that isn’t going to dampen our spirits on the first day of the 2016 French Open; a competition that has piqued a the interest of a few more Brits than normal, what with Andy Murray’s excellent form on clay.

You can read all about him here. He couldn’t could he? Anywho, Muzza isn’t in action today and there’s a chance no one will be looking at the weather forecast but we’ll plough on regardless and the order of play tells me that Nick Kyrgios, the in-form Kei Nishikori, Heather Watson, Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep are all due on court today.

Kyrgios is first on court one, up against Marco Cecchinato while the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova opens things up on Philippe Chatrier against Danka Kovinic and the 19th seed Benoit Paire of France is on Suzanne Lenglen against Radu Albot.

Play is supposed to get underway at 10.00am BST but we’ll see about that. In the meantime, here’s a song.

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