Petra Kvitova survives scare in French Open first round

Petra Kvitova has avoided a scare in the first round of the French Open by seeing off Marina Erakovic in three sets.

The world number four found herself 2-4 down in the opening set as Erakovic seized the early initiative, but the Czech fought back emphatically to take it 6-4.

Erakovic enjoyed a similar start in the second, though this time the world number 80 was able to hold her nerve and close it out 6-3.

Both players dropped serve twice each during a tense deciding set, only for Kvitova to earn a vital break late on to seal a 6-4 3-6 6-4 triumph.

The two-time Grand Slam champion will meet either Silvia Soler-Espinosa or Pauline Parmentier in the next round.