Oh la la! Cunning and guile from the lanky Brit as he outwits Robredo with another delightful backhand drop shot.

By the way, Ward saved two match points during qualifying against Blaz Rola and has ranked the achievement alongside his victories with Britain's Davis Cup team. "I don't want to stop now," said Ward ahead of this match.

Back on the court, the Brit pins Robredo on the baseline before skipping towards the tape and drawing level at 30-30 with a cute backhand volley. A backhand down the line from Robredo earns him a break point, though Ward comes through unscathed thanks to a fine first serve. To deuce we go and there's toing and froing before Robredo pounces on another backhand drop shot, responding with a whipped crosscourt forehand volley. Second break point. And Ward crumbles like a freshly-baked cookie - wild and wide with that driving forehand.

A couple of easy points for the Spaniard, who is ranked 19 in the world but is a former top 10 player. Ward chasing red dust as he attempts to return a rasping serve - 40-15. Ward nicks another point, a touch of pressure on the Spaniard, and a delightful drop shot from the Londoner nudges the game to deuce. Ward swinging freely, but is unable to turn the screw - a loose backhand clips the net cord and bounces out of play and the game belongs to Robredo.

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

"Robredo is an exceptional player on clay, and this will be a very big ask for James Ward, but you never know. If he can hold his serve, stay in it at the beginning and build confidence as the match progresses that will be important."

It's a tough task for James Ward today against clay court specialist Tommy Robredo, a bit like climbing the Eiffel Tower three times only to be told he must do so once again with cement in his boots.

Conditions are slow because of the weather, but it's a high-quality start to the match, from the Spaniard at least, as he ends a lengthy rally with a punchy forehand winner. Ward eases from 30-0 down to 40-30 and seals the deal as Robredo returns long.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"James Ward got a big cheer from the British contingent as he arrived on Court Six in steady rain, but nobody seems too concerned and it will need to get heavier to stop play. Waterproof clothing, umbrellas and flasks are in full effect."

We're a bit behind schedule because of the leaky clouds in the French capital earlier, but it is a Bank Holiday, a day made for a laissez-faire attitude to time keeping.

There are a few results to report on, though. Seventh seed Maria Sharapova was impressive in her 6-1 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak, while Sabine Lisicki, Flavia Pennetta and Mona Barthel have also progressed in difficult conditions.

In the men's draw, Kenny de Schepper reached the second round after his opponent, Albert Montanes retired injured in the first set.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

On Twitter:, external Il pleut. Can't say I'm hugely optimistic this will go through uninterrupted but Ward and Robredo are on a soggy Court 6.

Hello! Welcome to live text commentary of the second day of the French Open where Britain's James Ward will play in the main draw for the first time.

His opponent? Only the 17th seed Tommy Robredo. Dastardly luck. And if you haven't heard already, let me tell you that the 27-year-old Londoner is the first British man to come through three rounds of qualifying in Paris since John Lloyd in 1973.

Ward and Robredo are currently warming up on Court Six even though there's a dark cloud looming overhead.

There were a number of significant milestones in 1973. The pilot episode of Last of the Summer Wine was first broadcast, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon, tap dancer Roy Castle, external broke the world record for most taps in one minute and John Lloyd came through three rounds of qualifying in Paris to reach the French Open main draw. What a year.