Top-seeded Andy Murray defeated Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-0 while 3rd-seeded Simona Halep eliminated Jana Cepelova 6-2, 6-3. Both will advance to the second round at Roland Garros.

Murray entered Paris hoping to turn around what has been a subpar season thus far. After earning world no. 1 late in 2016, the Scot has admittedly struggled to find motivation. He took a step in the right direction as he overcame a strong challenge early in the match.

After a relatively easy first set, the world no. 73 fought back, taking four games in a row and would even the match. However, Murray found his groove in the third set as he exhibited the form that catapulted him to the top of the rankings. He continued it into the fourth set and claimed the victory.

Murray reflected afterward, “He (Kuznetsov) goes for his shots, he plays very aggressively, so he takes your time away. But it was quite windy today and that can make things difficult,” he said. “I started to play better as the match went on. I have very good memories of Paris and I will try to have another good run this year.”

Meanwhile, Halep came to Roland Garros pegged my many as the favorite, but was a question mark after an ankle injury prior to Paris. There were no ill effects shown during the match as she cruised, playing high-level tennis, striking crisp groundstrokes and controlling most of the points.

“Today was a great day for me. I really played well,” Halep said. She will face Tatjana Maria in the second round.

Tough Day for Zverev, Konta

It was a disappointing day for two contenders as Alexander Zverev and Johanna Konta both fell in first round matches.

In a match that was continued from Monday, Fernando Verdasco defeated ninth-seed Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. The German was unable to find his top game as play continued and grew frustrated as the match progressed, breaking a racket in the fourth set.

Zverev was considered a contender after taking the Rome title but acknowledged his poor play afterward. “You sometimes play bad,” he said. “It’s just this is our sport. There is no regrets. I mean, what can you do? In Rome, I played fantastic. I won the tournament. Here I played bad. I lost first round. That’s the way it goes.”

Meanwhile, Konta, the 7th-seed, fell to Hsieh Su-Wei on Court Philippe Chatrier 1-6, 7-6, 6-4.

After cruising through the first set, things turned quickly. Konta attempted to overpower Hsieh but the world no. 109 blunted it by mixing up her shots, forcing the Brit into many errors. She was never able to gain control of the match late. Konta has never won a main-draw match at Roland Garros.

The first-round concluded by day’s end except for one match. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Renzo Olivo were interrupted due to darkness with the Argentine leading, 7-5, 6-5, 6-7, 5-4. The match will continue Wednesday.