Andy Murray: 'I had to fight extremely hard to beat Radek Stepanek'

Andy Murray has admitted that he had to fight "extremely hard" to beat Radek Stepanek and reach the second round of the French Open.

The two-time Grand Slam champion was facing an early exit from the tournament in Paris when he went two sets down on Monday.

After Murray pulled a set back, organisers suspended the match due to bad light and the pair resumed their battle on the clay court today.

Britain's number one managed to draw 2-2 on sets before taking the fifth in a hard-fought display at Roland Garros.

After the match, Murray said on court: "It is unbelievable what [Stepanek] is doing. He had a bad injury last year yet at 37 is still coming out and fighting like he is. I don't expect to be doing that at his age! I am just pleased to have got through.

"He has always been extremely difficult to play. He hardly missed any volleys - until the one on match point and even that nearly got over - hit a lot of drop shots and hit the ball very flat and that made it very hard for me to dictate and get any rhythm.

"I had a bit of momentum yesterday, but I had to fight extremely hard today."

Murray will play French wildcard Mathias Bourgue in the next round.