Andy Murray made a winning start in Paris on Wednesday evening as he began his bid to clinch an unprecedented three consecutive Masters titles in the same year.
Having gained a bye in the first round, the world No 4 completed a routine 6-2 6-4 victory over American Sam Querrey in the last 32.
Murray began nervously and dropped his opening service game but quickly regained his composure to win six games in a row and clinch the first set.
After exchanging breaks mid-way through the second set, Murray broke at 4-4 and finally sealed victory with his fourth match point in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Murray will now face Spaniard Fernando Verdasco as he attempts to book a place in the quarter-final. The pair also met in the semi-final at last week’s St Petersburg Open where the British No 1 comfortably triumphed in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Jamie Murray and Czech Republic’s Pavel Vizner won their first round doubles match earlier in the day. The unseeded pair defeated the Scot’s former partner Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-2 6-7(5) [10-8].
Elsewhere, Anne Keothavong is through to the singles second round at the $100k event in Bratislava after a comprehensive 6-1 6-3 victory over Austrian Yvonne Meusburger. The British No 1, who is vying to win her fourth title of the year, will meet No 6 seed Monica Niculescu of Romania in the last 16.