
Andy Murray celebrates after winning his first-round match over Radek Stepanek. But it wasn't easy ...

The crafty Stepanek, a former world No. 8, extended the second seed to five sets and was two points away from winning at 5-4 in the fifth.

But the 37-year-old eventually exited 7-5 in the fifth to fall to 15-24 in fifth sets in his career.

Murray now has a seemingly easier match in the second round against France's Mathias Bourgue.

Two of Murray's rivals for the title, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, advanced with little difficulty. Djokovic, seen here, beat Yen-Hsun Lu in 90 minutes.

Nadal, the nine-time French Open champion, crushed Australian Sam Groth in 82 minutes.

Another grand slam winner, Angelique Kerber, fell in her opener to Kiki Bertens. She was troubled by a shoulder injury and needed to take a medical timeout.

Her fellow grand slam winner, Victoria Azarenka, also endured physical issues. She retired with a knee injury trailing Karin Knapp 4-0 in the third set.

Already a strong favorite at the French Open, their defeats make Serena Williams an even stronger favorite. Williams began by routing Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2 6-0 in 42 minutes.