Edmund makes it three Brits into second round

his 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win over Andrey Kuznetsov in the first round of the French Open. Kyle Edmund was happy to see the progress he has made after a comprehensive win over Gastao Elias in the first round of the French Open.

The British No 2’s 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 victory, which took less than two hours, booked his place in the second round for the third straight year.

The 22-year-old, who joined Andy Murray and Aljaz Bedene in making it three British first-round winners, said: “I’m happy but it’s only first round. It’s not like I have made semis or finals for three years in a row. So it’s good that each year I’ve definitely got better.

“My first five-set win, first grand slam match came here. I remember it was very exciting. Last year was a great match against [Nikoloz] Basilashvili in four sets. This year I’ve won in three sets. So it’s good progression. I just felt I was the better player today and deserved the win.”

Edmund, pictured, was left waiting to find out who his second-round opponent will be this time, with Jo-wilfried Tsonga two sets to one down to Argentina’s Renzo Olivo when the match was stopped for bad light. Tsonga must come back today to try to recover a 5-7, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 4-5 deficit. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev, the hottest young talent in tennis, exited at the first-round stage. His clash with Fernando Verdasco was tied at one-set all overnight but the Spaniard was much the better player on the resumption and won 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Zverev showed his frustration on several occasions, smashing his racket early in the fourth set, and afterwards he did not mince his words.

Asked what had made the difference, he said: “I played absolute s**t made the difference. It’s quite simple.”

Nick Kyrgios advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber, third seed Stan Wawrinka defeated Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 and Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina eased past compatriot Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

0 Johanna Konta: Early exit. of sport. I played a player who played incredibly well, who was inspired, and that’s also something I’m very happy to be a part of because it gave me another opportunity to learn about myself and see the things I can do better.”

World No 4 Simona Halep hadbeenunsurewhethershe would be able to compete in the tournament right up until the weekend due to an ankle injury but was impressive in a 6-2, 6-3 win over Jana Cepelova in round one.

Eugenie Bouchard arrived in Paris nursing the same injury as Halep after tearing a ligament in her right ankle during training. The Canadian also came through her first-round test against Risa Ozaki, Bouchard eventually winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Fifth seed Elina Svitolina defeated Yaroslava Shvedova 6-4, 6-3 while there were also wins for Agnieszska Radwanska, Madison Keys and dark horse Anastasija Sevastova.