Gael Monfils battles past Pablo Cuevas in five sets

Gael Monfils twice had to come from a set down to secure a five-sets win over Pablo Cuevas in the third round of the French Open this evening.

Uruguayan Cuevas made a solid start to the set as he claimed an early break again the Frenchman without facing a break point on his own serve on his way to a one-set lead.

Monfils fought hard to stay with him in the second though, coming from a break down to force a tie-break, cruising to a 7-1 win in the breaker to level the match.

It looked like getting back into the match had taken it out of the French player as he struggled at the start of the third, allowing Cuevas to open up an early lead and go back in front.

Cuevas appeared to be heading for the fourth round when he surged in front at the start of the fourth, but Monfils showed his fighting spirit again, winning a run of games to get back on level terms.

Monfils's run continued in the deciding set as he raced to a 4-1 lead before holding his remaining service games, winning 11 of the final 14 games to wrap up the match 4-6 7-6 3-6 6-4 6-3.

Monfils's 10th five-set win at Roland Garros secured him a fourth-round meeting with world number two Roger Federer.