A wry smile from Ward. He digs in, absorbs his opponent's blows for 28 shots, but comes unstuck on the 29th shot of the rally as his backhand fails to stay in play. It's an opening point which sets the tone for the rest of the game and Robredo holds to love, a game away from the second round.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I think when he sits down for a debrief on this match, I think James Ward will have to reflect on that ninth game in set two where he had broken serve to level at 4-4."

Ward, shoulders slumped, nothing going his way, seems down and out and the security guards should be getting ready to chuck him out of the grounds and into the Parisian streets. Oh, hang on, someone needs to tell the burly bouncers to stand down. Abort! Abort! Ward serves and volleys to 30-30 and the never-say-die Brit holds with an ace. How about that?

Entertainment at its best from Robredo and Ward, like watching Bruce Forsythe and Sammy Davis Jr tap dancing in their tuxedos, and it's Ward who comes out on top of the dance-off at the net, a drop shot volley winner earning him a point and the admiration of the crowd.

That shot alone isn't enough to worry Robredo, though, and Ward can be seen cursing on the baseline as he goes long once again, allowing the 17th seed to skip ahead to 40-15. The Spaniard holds with a booming ace.

Dominic Inglot
British doubles player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"The difference between the top-ranked guys and those lower down is their ability to cruise away when they have to."

Sloppy from Ward as he directs a lame forehand into the tape, awarding an avoidable break point to Robredo. But the Brit earns a reprieve as the Spaniard miscues a forehand into the tramlines. A nervy rally ensues at deuce... 17 shots... 18 shots... and it's Robredo who folds like a deckchair in the wind, placing a forehand into the tape to end a 19-shot slug-fest.

The Spaniard fights his way back into contention - that forehand proving a trusty weapon this time. A silly backhand drop shot from Ward and Robredo has a second break point. What has Ward got left? Erm, he goes wide with the backhand and this match seems to be heading towards a predictable conclusion.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

Image source, Reuters

Paris gets its first look at eight-time champion Rafael Nadal in the slightly surprising surroundings of Court Suzanne Lenglen - the second show court at Roland Garros. Organisers explained the decision, saying Nadal had requested to play on Monday rather than Tuesday and had to be squeezed into the running order. Spanish newspaper El Pais, external said the situation "emphasises that the love Nadal feels for Paris is not always reciprocated". Nadal gives a sheepish wave as he arrives on court along with American wildcard Robby Ginepri.

Second seed Novak Djokovic is through to the second round after a routine straight-sets win over the unseeded Joao Sousa. Back to matters on Court Six, and Robredo, stretching towards the tramlines, razzle-dazzles with crosscourt forehand winner. A shot to add to the highlights reel. The Spaniard playing with freedom at the moment and he comfortably holds.

A promising start to the fourth set by Ward as he holds to love, and there's now a purpose in his stride as he makes his way to his chair for the changeover.

A puff of the cheeks from Ward as he goes long, letting Robredo off the hook and allowing the Spaniard to wriggle to 40-15. The Brit running out of gas and unable to fire on all cylinders. A weak backhand into the tape from Ward, and Robredo holds without much resistance from his rival.

Oliver Webb:, external It's going to be a long first week at Roland Garros, forecast looks miserable almost as bad as this bank holiday Monday weather.

Ward temporarily left the court after the end of the third set, but the world number 168 has now returned and is gambolling towards the service line. A confident start from Ward, easily winning the first two points, before holding to 15 with a stylish ace down the 'T'.

Image source, Reuters

Talking of romps, Novak Djokovic is closing in on victory against Joao Sousa on Philippe Chatrier. The Serb leading 6-1 6-2 5-3. If you didn't already know, you can keep up to date with the latest men's results and women's results on this very website.

Ward's body language suggests he's waving the white flat as far as this set is concerned. An ace from Robredo, we haven't seen many of those in this match, takes him to 30-15 and then an unforced Ward error gifts two set points to the Spaniard. It's a third-set romp for the 17th seed as Ward tamely nets a forehand. Can the Brit come back from the brink?

Dominic Inglot
British doubles player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"There's been missed opportunities, we've seen that a few times in Ward's career. He tends to get broken early in sets where he serves first and then he has to play catch-up, which is a difficult position to be in. Maybe that is something he as to address with his coach or perhaps with a psychologist."

Ward trudges back to his chair at the changeover a shadow of the man who leaped and grimaced with joy after taking the first set. The Brit at least holds, forcing Robredo to serve out for the set.

It seems Ward has no resistance left as the Brit goes long, gifting Robredo a simple hold. The Spaniard closing in on the third set.

Brilliant from Robredo as he passes an off-balance Ward with a beautifully-timed backhand. At 30-30 all hope is not lost for Ward, but the Brit is soon staring into the abyss courtesy of an impatient backhand drop shot. Break point Robredo, Ward dangling from the precipice, and the Brit doesn't cling on for long. The Londoner nets and hurtles into the canyon, as it were, dreams of a revival gone, his groans echoing around Roland Garros. Sort of.

Robredo levels at 15-15 with a swinging driving volley, good enough to spark the spectators into a ripple of applause. From 15-15 to 30-30 we go and Ward groans as he watches his backhand dribble into the barrier. Some daylight for Robredo and he secures the hold with a powerful overhead.

Ben Alderson:, external I want Ward to win but at this rate I can see it being 3-1. If he's going to win it will have to be in 5.