Nicole Gibbs, who is sporting some heavy strapping on her right shoulder, is being made to work for her service game.

The American can only skid a return low across the clay as Heather Watson forces the game to deuce. 

On the third advantage, Gibbs manages to hold after Watson hits wide. 

Heather Watson has her head in her hands as she drops the first point of her service game.

And then her backhand goes awry. 0-30. The Briton may boil over soon. 

A cautious, cautious rally ensues and eventually Watson stops the rot as she wins her first point. More screams. 

Now seemingly fired up, Watson volleys over for 40-30 and then Nicole Gibbs' return hits the net. Watson holds her serve. 

Image source, Getty Images

Heather Watson is apologetic as her return from Nicole Gibbs' serve clips the net and rolls over. 

They're level at 30-30 when Gibbs directs a shot well wide to give Watson break point. 

Watson is forced to slip and slide across the baseline. And just as you think she's going to strike her forehand into the corner to take the game...she puts too much on it and it's called out.

Back-to-back errors from the Brit leave her screaming with frustration. Gibbs holds her serve. 

The umbrellas and pac-a-macs are still out in force but we continue to play here on court three in Paris. 

Britain's Heather Watson keeps her serve with ease in the first game of the second set. 

Image source, Getty Images

The men's fifth seed Kei Nishikori has breezed through the first set 6-1 against Italian Simone Bolelli and is three up in the second.

If all goes to plan, the Japanese player could face Britain's Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Nicole Gibbs' opening serve of the game is powerful, and Heather Watson returns but it's wayward. 15-0.

The American then earns two set points. But Watson snatches one off her as they both twist and turn close to the net.

However, Gibbs makes it count second time around. The world number 72 takes the first set.

Jennifer: "Just let Watson play Serena at Wimbledon again, it's where she does her best work!"

June Souter: "How come the stands @rolandgarros, external are so empty for @HeatherWatson92, external and @keinishikori, external Still cracking tennis, but no atmosphere"

Gaaaah. Double fault from Heather Watson. It's 15-15.

She's now seeking clarification from the teenage-looking umpire to see what he makes of the weather conditions. The rain is still coming down, but it's not heavy yet. We play on.

An angled forehand from Nicole Gibbs deceives Watson and the American has break point. 

She takes it, as an off-balance Watson hits long past the baseline. 

Gibbs to serve for the set. Again. 

Heather Watson has a break point. Can she stop Nicole Gibbs in her quest for the first set?

Yes she can!

Watson lets out a scream as she levels for 5-5. 

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Heather Watson holds her hands out by her side as if to say: "what's going on?"

She hits another long return and Gibbs takes a 30-15 lead. The Brit is looking a bit perplexed by it all.

But boom! A lovely, lovely backhand from Watson pulls her back into the game.

Set point to Gibbs now...but she smacks the ball well wide and it's deuce. 

UH OH. We can see the crowd getting their umbrellas and kagools out. The rain is coming down. It's not enough to stop play at the moment, though. 

Nicole Gibbs to serve for the first set.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicole Gibbs was wobbling a bit in the last two games, but she seems to have steadied herself now. She takes the first two points on Heather Watson's serve.

Those high, looping, balls through the air are back again, and Gibbs smashes a volley past Watson to earn two break points. 

Gibbs' forehand goes long. One break point remaining. 

Watson serves but her return goes skimming past the baseline and the Brit drops her serve for the second time. 

Seven games done, a break each. Who's going to snatch this set?

Nicole Gibbs gets off to a poor start on her own serve with a double fault. 

And it's two break points to Heather Watson, after a protracted rally which ended with Gibbs hitting long. 

But the American recovers for deuce, and soon she has the advantage as she out-wits Watson at the net.

The Briton tries to chip the ball lightly over, but fails. Gibbs holds. 

Image source, Get

Heather Watson comes out on top in a powerful rally after sitting very deep on court. She takes a 30-0 lead.

And the British number two holds to love for the first time. Nicole Gibbs has a face of thunder. 

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Paris

"It was an excellent start from Watson, she was hitting the winners, but it's more even now"

It is still very quiet on court three, but now some fellas dressed as John McEnroe have joined the crowd. Classic Grand Slam fancy dress.

Heather Watson lets out a scream of "come on" that McEnroe himself would be proud of, as she smashes a return into the right corner to make it 15-15.

But Nicole Gibbs races into a 40-15 lead and holds her serve.

Now it's Nicole Gibbs who's putting Heather Watson under pressure

The American comes into the net to try and see out a long rally. She slices cross-court and earns a break point. 40-15.

But two Watson volleys sees her regain control and she brings it to 40-40. 

Hang on a second. What's going on here, then? The umpire (who looks about 12 years old) is out of his chair, checking the baseline. Looks like we'll have a replayed point.

Gibbs has the advantage. Both players are pinned to their baselines. It's Gibbs who hits into the net! Back at Deuce. 

Another advantage to blonde Gibbs. Watson hits long and Gibbs breaks back. 

Image source, Getty Images

Joel Newnham: "Intense play from Watson and Gibbs in just the first game"

How do you see this one going and who are your tournament picks? Get in touch via #bbctennis, external.