So Murray is up again at about 16:00 GMT on Thursday when he faces the promising Lucas Pouille who will have the home crowd behind him inside the Paris Masters arena.

It'll be typical of Murray to breeze through after this opening epic.

Join us again. Bonne nuit.

Ben: While he deserved the win, and I'd love him to reach #1 ranking, can't help but think Murray got a little lucky... 

Image source, AP

Andy Murray speaking to Sky Sports:

"It was a tough match. Verdasco was going for his shots and serving huge. 

"When he was behind in games and even when I was getting the return back, he was dictating the points on his forehand and backhand. He hit a few lines with his backhand. I just had to fight at the end.

On facing Lucas Pouille in the third round on Thursday:

"It'll be similar to today's match. He's right-handed and takes a lot of risks. He serves well and is improving all the time. He'll have home support too. I've enjoyed playing the French players in this atmosphere in the past."

So both world number one Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have won both their opening matches at the Paris Masters.

Djoko will hold on to the top ranking if he reaches the final in Paris.

However, failure to do so would allow Le Muzz to overtake him if the Scot can win, or reach the final and Djokovic falls before the semis.

Verdasco senses blood. A backhand return is far too good - Murray is 30-15 down.

He's now 40-15 down. What the Roland Garros is happening?!

One break point is saved. With glory in sight, Verdasco attempts to pass the Scot with a two-handed backhand, but the ball hits the cord.

Murray shouts "C'mon" after winning the next point and the crowd start booing. Weird. Good to see them finally wake up.

The Scot, somehow, wins the game when he looked down and out. 

Incroyable.

Verdasco must have had a 'No Fear' tattoo done recently.

A near faultless game is capped off with a double-handed backhand which passed Murray like a late Inter City 125.

Murray holds with far more ease than the Spaniard had in his previous game.

Verdasco suddenly finds himself having to hold to remain in the match.

Will we see 'Bad Verdasco' or 'Good Verdasco'?

American John "7-6" Isner beats Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 7-6 to move into the third round. How many 7-6s has Isner been involved in? I think I counted a million.

Verdasco challenges a ball he think is in, but it's out. Two break points for Murray.

The Spaniard saves the first with a great deep forehand then rushes Murray's return by charging into the net. It's deuce o'clock.

Murray has another break point but Verdasco, who is so fired up he could heat every Manchester house in the winter, saves again by coming into the net. He looked like he'd run through it.

He holds with an ace. 

Absorbing. This is only the second round of the Paris Masters. No offence.

John McEnerney: The MMMM (Murray's mid match meltdown) has returned it'd been missing for a bit. The Banshee in Andy is out again. Screaming at himself!

Image source, AP

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

Tension the over-riding factor here. Murray doesn't know how many chances he will have in his life to start a week with the chance to potentially become world number one.

Image source, AP

Did Murray expect such a tough opener in Paris?

He's won his last three tournaments and has a 11-1 record against Verdasco. It shows there is no such thing as a sure thing - except when Frankel raced.

Anyway, a good serve and forcing an error on Verdasco's forehand sees the Scottish world number two hold.

Frustrations over his returns sees Murray slap the wafting cotton of his shorts - repeatedly. I assume it's cotton.

The Spaniard wins his game to love with an ace. He's playing ace.

It's Murray's turn for a bit of serve and volley - the tactic sees him move to 30-0.

Verdasco then pulls out the 'ol' backhand slice return' - Murray joins him but loses the point and it's 30-30.

Murray eventually holds though with a big forehand. The arena goes dark again and the spotlight is on Murray in the chair. It's like a Pinter play.

Murray challenges another decision, but Verdasco's shot was clearly in. The replay proves it.

But, guess what? Another break point - in fact two of them - after Murray somewhat fortuitously sees his return land on the line.

Verdasco saves both - the second with a lovely bit of serve et volley.

The Spaniard then keeps cool and wins the deuce battle.

We're all square. I sense another tie-break.

Goulders: Verdasco is playing out of his skin! 

Image source, Getty Images

Murray once again acknowledges a good Verdasco shot with a thumbs up. He then hits long and it's break point for the Spaniard.

The Scot saves with a heavy serve that Verdasco cannot deal with. Deuce.

But after another long rally - one dictated throughout by Verdasco - the Spaniard has break point once again.

Murray fails to put enough slice on a drop shot and Verdasco passes him down the line.

Another break. Messy stuff but the world number 46 is playing brilliant tennis.

Image source, AP

The crowd? Well, they're a bit quiet between points, displaying rather emotionless expressions.

Verdasco could do with a lift, especially as he finds himself faced with two break points. The first is saved but he then makes an error from the back of the court for the second.

Murray delight. He's broken the Spaniard.

Verdasco is making Murray work hard. The Scot has barely made the Spaniard move in the last few games. He's 32 Andy, make him move.

Nevertheless, he wins his first service game of the third set.

Will he try to break early?

Image source, Getty Images

Kashif Akhtar:  After Manchester City's incredible game yesterday watching Andy Murray now is almost as enjoyable and fun.