Andy Murray and Dan Evans produced a sensational comeback to survive five match points and claim a dramatic first-round victory in the men’s doubles.
Murray previously announced he was retiring from tennis following the conclusion of this year’s Games, with the Scot withdrawing from the singles competition to focus on the doubles event.
The Team GB duo faced Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori in the opening round on Sunday, with the Japanese pair winning seven consecutive games to grab a set and a break advantage at Roland Garros.
Murray and Evans brilliantly battled back from 4-2 down in the second set to force a tie-break, which they won 7-5 to level the match, before Japan seemed certain for victory in the deciding tie-break when they moved 9-4 up in the race to 10.
The Team GB survived five match points to level the final-set decider, before winning the next two to claim a 2-6 7-6 (5) 11-9 victory and remarkably book their place in the second round.
More to follow…
How did the other Brits get on?
Earlier in the day, Evans kicked off his singles campaign by battling past Moez Echargui 6-2 4-6 6-2.
Dan Evans came through a tough encounter to reach the second round of the men’s singles in Paris
The 34-year-old was still struggling with a knee injury suffered at Queen’s Club last month and suffered a heavy fall during his match against Tunisian world No 384 Echargui, which required a visit from the trainer to have a grazed knee patched up.
Jack Draper eased to a 6-1 6-4 victory over Nishikori to reach the second round, while compatriot Cameron Norrie withdrew because of a left arm injury.
Katie Boulter, Britain’s only representative in the women’s singles, suffered an early exit after losing 6-4 6-2 to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Nadal sets up Djokovic showdown
Rafael Nadal will play Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster second-round Olympic clash at Roland Garros after battling past Marton Fucsovics.
Rafael Nadal is through to the next round in both the singles and doubles competitions in Paris
The two most successful male players of all time have played each other 59 times before, with Djokovic leading by one, but not since a quarter-final won by the Spaniard at the French Open two years ago.
Now they will meet on the same stage and for a second time at the Olympics, 16 years after Nadal edged a close contest in the semi-finals in Beijing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Novak Djokovic wished Andy Murray the best possible farewell ahead of his last singles tournament and reveals how long he feels he has remaining in tennis.
Nadal had been weighing up whether to play the match at all after concerns over a right thigh problem and a late finish to his doubles opener with Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday night, but gritted his way to a 6-1 4-6 6-4 victory against Hungarian Fucsovics.
How to follow the Olympics on Sky
Keep up to date with the action from the Paris 2024 Olympics across Sky Sports’ digital platforms and Sky Sports News every day between now and Sunday August 11.
Alongside live news blogs and updates as records are broken and medals won on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app, Sky Sports News will also have dedicated reporters on the scene in Paris during the Games to gather the latest news both inside and outside the arenas in France as well as reaction to the big moments from medal winners, coaches, relatives and pundits.
Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.
