Seven-time French Open winner and firm favourite Rafael Nadal has survived a scare to progress to the second round at Roland Garros on Monday.
The Spaniard lost the opening set of his first round clash with Daniel Brands but eventually triumphed 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3.
Unheralded German Brands had also led 3-0 in the second set tie-break before Nadal’s response.
“He was playing unbelievable. I tried to find my game and tried to resist his fantastic shots,” said third-seeded Nadal.
“He played a great match and put me in a tricky situation.”
Nadal will face either Slovakia’s Martin Klizan or American Michael Russell in the next round.