Andy Murray has admitted that he had to fight "extremely hard" to beat Radek Stepanek and reach the second round of the French Open.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was facing an early exit from the tournament in Paris when he went two sets down on Monday.
After Murray pulled a set back, organisers suspended the match due to bad light and the pair resumed their battle on the clay court today.
Britain's number one managed to draw 2-2 on sets before taking the fifth in a hard-fought display at Roland Garros.
After the match, Murray said on court: "It is unbelievable what [Stepanek] is doing. He had a bad injury last year yet at 37 is still coming out and fighting like he is. I don't expect to be doing that at his age! I am just pleased to have got through.
"He has always been extremely difficult to play. He hardly missed any volleys - until the one on match point and even that nearly got over - hit a lot of drop shots and hit the ball very flat and that made it very hard for me to dictate and get any rhythm.
"I had a bit of momentum yesterday, but I had to fight extremely hard today."
Murray will play French wildcard Mathias Bourgue in the next round.
Danielle Joynson
