Andy Murray battles past Joao Sousa to advance in Paris

Andy Murray has continued his impressive recent form on clay court by seeing off Joao Sousa in the second round of the French Open.

The British number one prevailed 6-2 in an opener which contained a 26-shot rally early on and, while his opponent did hang on by saving two set points, it was Murray who took an early foothold in the contest.

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World number 44 Sousa ensured that Murray would have a battle on his hands by taking the second set, capitalising on a couple of mistakes to earn two breaks of serve and levelling things up overall.

There was to be no surprise at Roland Garros, though, as the third seed held his serve throughout the next set to draw within touching distance of the finishing line.

All that was left for Murray to do on the Philippe Chatrier Court was shake off his depleted opponent, and he did exactly that to claim a 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-1 win and set up a meeting with Nick Kyrgios on Saturday.