Ward opts for a backhand drop shot, but Robredo pounces on it like a panther and his alacrity earns him a break point. Ward negotiates the danger with a reliable first serve. Second break point Robredo, though, but Ward steps up to produce a sure-fire backhand winner. It's a gutsy hold from the Brit and Robredo still has work to do in this third set.

The first two points go Ward's way and following a lengthy baseline slug-fest Robredo plonks an easy forehand into the tape. Three break back points to Ward. Robredo saves one, then another... He needs to perform a hat-trick of rescue acts, though, which he does with aplomb - a thunderous forehand getting the better of Ward. The momentum is back with the Spaniard and he negotiates his way through a short-lived Ward storm.

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

"I think Robredo's just started to realise its getting so heavy out there that James Ward is finding it hard to hit through him."

How many punches has Ward left in his locker? The Brit is in trouble as he slips two break points down. He saves one, thanks to a crosscourt volley, but Robredo responds with one thunderous blow after another and, eventually, Ward falls to the canvas - a booming deep forehand winner the knockout blow.

Ward and Robredo decide the court is fit for purpose, though the Brit doesn't seem too convinced. The groundstaff give Court Six one final sweep, the spectators begin to slow clap, and Ward, shaking his head, walks to the service line.

Image source, AFP

Djokovic and Sousa quickly resume play, while Ward and Robredo are currently in negotiations as to whether they should go ahead with the third set. I mean, they will have to go ahead with the third set, but it's a question of when.

A smiling Novak Djokovic is sitting underneath a brollie, protecting his thick broom-brush mane from the wet stuff. "Any news, boss?" the Serb asks the umpire. Djokovic's opponent, Joao Sousa, isn't in quite as a jovial mood, which is understandable as he is 6-1 5-2 down.

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

"I think it's right in Robredo's hands right now. To break back straight away has taken the momentum from James very quickly, he'll be disheartened that it happened."

Drops of rain falling from the Parisian sky, brollies mushrooming around Court Six, but the players carry on. They're made of stern stuff. Robredo closes the deal like a ruthless City stockbroker, amassing two set points and levelling the match with a forehand winner into the corner.

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

"Right now he's not playing like 168 in the world, he's playing like a top 100 player easily. I'm impressed by his mentality, he's gone for some huge shots, he's been patient and it is paying dividends. The momentum is right back with him in this set."

Ward grunting with every shot, and the pressure is beginning to take its toll. The Brit slaps a backhand into the net, which is like presenting Robredo a break point with a cherry on top. And the Spaniard is clinical. He sees Ward approach the net and simply passes him with an unstoppable backhand winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Ward steals the opening point and then the pair proceed to battle it out from the baseline, with Ward, on the defensive, unable to fetch one of Robredo's humdingers.

Robredo going though one of his dips, though, and Ward notches a double break point - and the Brit overpowers Robredo from the baseline, forcing the Spaniard to loop backhand into the tramlines. We're even-stevens once again.

Ashley Barnett:, external Always thought Tommy Robredo would be a great name for a character in The Sopranos.

I've just put Tommy Robredo's name into a Mafia name generator and the Spaniard comes up as Jack the Fruit. James Ward? Decrepit Ralphie Marino.

"I'm tellin' ya, Tony, it's the year of the underdawg 'cause Jack the Fruit come a cropper against Decrepit Ralphie Marino on Court Six and Robby Ginepri is sayin' he's gonna give Rafael 'the meatball' Nadal a beatin', too."

Ward opens with a delicately-placed backhand volley. Bravo! Thunderous hitting from the Brit as he steps in to crunch a crosscourt backhand winner beyond Robredo. 30-0. Ward hanging on, keeping himself in contention, a forehand winner kisses the line - the crowd oh la laing - and it's a hold to 15 for the 27-year-old.

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

"I think Robredo's main objective is to move Ward back as much as he can, movement is probably the weaker part of his game."

Robredo's outfit is an interesting one. Admittedly, it won't spark as many debates as the floral number Tomas Berdych was sporting on Sunday, but the radioactive green collar on his t-shirt, with matching shorts and sweatband, takes some adjusting to.

Anyway... A 20th unforced error allows Ward to proceed to 0-30, but Robredo is back in contention at 30-30 and some loose-limbed hitting from the back of the court by the Spaniard secures him the all-important hold.

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

"At the moment that extra bit of class is beginning to show from Robredo, but if Ward can hang in there he can retrieve the break in this second set."

Image source, Getty Images

Ward perhaps needs to add a touch more variety to his game to keep Robredo on his toes as the backhand drop shot, which has earned him a few crucial points in this match, falters. At 30-30, a baseline battle ensues - and Robredo is the first to throw in the towel, unable to negotiate the barrier, and the Spaniard reacts by shouting something or other in his native tongue.

Ward approaches the net, but is beaten by a wonderful Robredo crosscourt winner. Deuce. Advantage. Deuce. Ward is wild with the overhead and Robredo has a break point. But the Brit wriggles free, but the reprieve is merely temporary as a double fault gifts Robredo a second break point. Oof! A fancy backhand volley from Ward saves the day and his supporters break into song.

Deuce again. Robredo misses with a simple-looking forehand. Advantage Ward. Another wayward return from Robredo and Ward eventually holds!

It's still overcast in the French capital and the gloomy conditions mean the fluffy yellow ball is taking a little longer than usual to bounce off the red dirt. A touch of brilliance from Robredo as he squeezes a backhand passing shot beyond Ward, but the Brit matches the Spaniard for sparkle and style. A forehand winner the pick of the bunch as the Briton notches a break point. He fails to make the most of his chance, though, and Robredo ups the ante from the baseline, forcing Ward on the back foot, and comes through unscathed to nudge further ahead.

Image source, Getty Images

Three easy points for Ward as he eases to 40-0, but a tame backhanded drop shot fails to reach the net, ruining what could have been a blemish-free hold. The Brit troubles the scoreboard for the first time in the second set, though - thanks to a fine second serve followed by an overhead.