On a day when a number of top seeds struggled at the BNP Masters in Paris, Andy Murray continued his comeback from injury with a 6-3 6-7 (5) 7-6 (4) victory over American James Blake.
The World No.4 progressed to the third round of the event in Paris in his first match since winning the ATP Open in Valencia over the weekend.
Murray was made to work hard for his victory despite taking the first set 6-3, after gaining a decisive break in the eighth game of the set and sealing the early advantage with an exquisite drop shot.
However the tenacious Blake refused to surrender and fought back with the help of his powerful forehand, taking the second set on a tie-break.
With the clock long past midnight, neither player was able to muster a break of serve in the third set before Murray eventually opened up an unassailable lead at 5-3 in the tie break.
The British No.1 went on to see out the match, which lasted a demanding 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Murray is due back on court at 1645 GMT today against Radek Stepanek (CZE), who exerted far less energy as he comfortably eased past Viktor Troicki (SRB), winning 6-4, 6-0.
Murray warned: "I don't know if you can recover 100%, it's a very, very difficult thing to do. By the time I get back and have food, see my physio, it's 4am by the time you get to bed and any athlete will tell you it's not the easiest thing to do.
I don't expect to be feeling great but I'll just try and fight as hard as I can and try and win” Murray added.
The match between Murray and Blake started later than scheduled due to the three set tie between World No.1 Roger Federer (SUI) and Julien Benneteau (FRA) that preceded it.
Although Federer took the first set 6-3, he was unable to exert his usual dominance over his opponent, who backed by home support, inflicted a 6-3, 6-7 (4) 4-6 shock defeat over the top seed.
Earlier in the day World No.2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) saved five match points en route to the third round as he struggled past fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.
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