Piers Newbery
BBC Sport in Paris

That was a fine effort from Evans, who looked and sounded pretty worn down after losing that early break of serve.

"Slowly getting there," he muttered after staying on level terms to prolong the set, and we got the full range of his talent - a slapped cross-court forehand, a backhand down the line, a drop shot and some well-judged volleys to close out the set.

The temperature continues to rise though, and the feeling is the longer this goes, the better for Robredo.

At the second time of asking Dan Evans takes the first set.

Impressive stuff from the man playing in his first French Open main draw match against a five time quarter-finalist.

Forehand winner from Evans first point. 15-0.

He's playing really well behind his first serve, winning 87% of the points.

Evans makes up for a double fault by coming into the net yet again and volleying a winner. 30-15.

That's classic Dan Evans. A drop shot catches his opponent off guard. Two sets points...

And the British number four takes the opportunity!

He breaks serve at the perfect time and will serve for this first set.

Another backhand winner down the line from Evans. 15-15. Is this an opening for him?

Evans' return goes long on the next point but he stays in the rally long enough to force a Robredo error moments later to set up 30-30.

In Evans comes again. A powerful drive volley. 30-40. Break point Evans...

Anything you can do.

Evans matches Robredo by also taking his service game to love. The pick of the points from the Briton's point of view was the last which he ended with a beautiful backhand winner.

Both players are playing well. This is a good match.

The veteran Spaniard breezes through his next service game to love.

Robredo has won 12 titles in his career, 11 of them on clay. That is what Evans is facing today.

Evans tries a serve and volley on the first point but Robredo sees him coming and loops a winner down the line. The Briton is much more successful with the same tactic two points later, smashing away a winner.

"Come on," the Brummie shouts.

A 10th winner of the match next point gives Evans 40-15 and he closes out the game at the second time of asking with a good first serve.

It does look seriously hot out there. I hope Piers has the suncream on. Evans is asking for his towel after every point.

Robredo, wearing purple-lensed sunglasses, hits a sumptuous single-handed backhand winner to stay ahead.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport in Paris

"I can't breathe, I feel like I'm on a treadmill the whole game," says Evans as he walks past his team. This prompts some discussion among Team Tommy nearby as they decipher the Briton's words. It looked like a gruelling test on paper, it's proving exactly that on clay.

An important game for Evans this one. After such a good start, he doesn't want to fall a break down in this first set. Using plenty of top spin the Briton finds a good angle for a forehand winner. 30-0.

Another forehand winner gives Evans the game. He stops the rot.

Evans comes within an inch of a glorious backhand winner which would have given him 15-30.

Robredo's game-plan is clear. Do not miss. He keeps the rallies going and eventually Evans' accuracy fails him on the next two points. The Spaniard takes his third game in a row.

Not your usual clay court tactic, British number four Evans is looking to come to the net when he can, winning the first point with a volleyed winner.

Robredo fights back to 30-30 and now the Spaniard rushes in to the net to volley his way to a break point. And Evans' backhand goes long. We're back on serve.

Tennis fans reading this will be well aware of Dan Evans' rise up the rankings in recent years. Not long ago he was ranked outside the world's top 700 but is now well within the game's elite and reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in Australia in January.

He wins a couple of points in Robredo's next service game but the Spaniard gets his name on the board.

Both of these players have had some lengthy matches in the past. It is hot out there, they won't want any of that today.

Despite taking the opening game, Evans is doing plenty of running out there and is standing way behind the baseline.

But the Briton comes out on top in a few long rallies en route to holding his first service game.

Robredo gets us started, serving first in this one.

Evans - on the back of his first ATP Tour level wins on clay in Barcelona this year - makes a promising start, creating a break point opportunity.

And long from Robredo! What a start for the man from Birmingham. He breaks in the opening game.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport in Paris

The British press pack have made it through the crowds to take up their seats on the serene Court Two, in the shadow of Chatrier and surrounded on three sides by small but packed stands. A good cheer for the introduction of Robredo, a familiar face around here, and a few whoops for Evans, less often seen in these parts. Davis Cup captain Leon Smith is courtside as part of Team Evans.

The players have finished their warm-up.

We're moments away from the first British interest in this year's French Open and Dan Evans' debut in the competition's main draw.

Here we go...

Here's a good fact about Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

He gets his name as his dad is a big fan of rock band The Who, named after the band's 1969 album 'Tommy'.

You learn something new every day.

Image source, Getty Images

Despite age and rankings being in Dan Evans' favour he sees himself as the underdog when facing Robredo on a clay court.

"I'm still finding my way around a bit," the 27-year-old from Solihull told BBC Sport.

"I had a good week in Barcelona but obviously haven't had any wins since, but I'll keep trying hard and hopefully get one or two this week," said Evans.

"Robredo's been very good on clay, still is very good, and he's the favourite going into it, but five sets are long matches and we'll see what happens."