Gilles Simon battles past Ryan Harrison

Gilles Simon came from behind to beat Ryan Harrison in four sets in the French Open first round this afternoon.

The Frenchman started slowly and made plenty of unforced errors as he surrendered the first set 6-3.

Without being at his best, Simon was able to battle back and level at a set apiece, gaining the decisive break to claim the second 7-5.

After saving two break points midway through the third, the 11th seed finally started producing the tennis that justifies his world ranking as he took the set 6-4 with another break of the American's serve.

Simon took this momentum into the final set, showing his superiority to claim it 6-1 and secure his passage into the second round.