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dpa
Paris
World number one Rafael Nadal battled from behind in the third set to eventually advance over Simone Bolelli as play resumed following a rain delay at the French Open on Tuesday.
Nadal, a 10-time champion at Roland Garros, overcame a marathon tie-break for a 6-4, 6-3 7-6 (11-9) success to reach the second round from a match which could not be completed on Monday. He remains unbeaten in six contests against the Italian.
Marin Cilic is also through after a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) win over Australia's James Duckworth in two hours and 13 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Before rain suspended play on Monday, the world number 129 Bolelli matched Nadal stroke for stroke with a quickfire forehand, but a wide backhand slice gifted Nadal a single break that sealed the first set.
Two rasping forehand winners saw the French Open king secure the second set, but Bolelli pounced on a nervy Nadal serve to have a 3-0 advantage going into Tuesday's continuation.
However, the rain stoppage seemed to have refreshed Nadal, rather than unsettle him, as he sprinted back into the match with a quick break on his way to levelling the scores at 3-3.
Nadal had a number of chances to break but they were squandered by clever play at the net to force a tie-break.
The 16-time grand slam champion was 5-2 down but his trusted trademark forehand helped him fight back to 6-6.
An incredible pass afforded Nadal two chances to complete the match and a netted return from Bolelli finalised the scores at 11-9.
"Rafa is always really consistent and getting his rhythm through the couple matches," said Cilic when asked about potentially playing Nadal in the later stages.
"He's going to be playing definitely better and better."
Cilic, seeded third for the tournament, claimed the first set in a rapid 27 minutes as Duckworth, who is ranked outside of the top 100, was overwhelmed by the world number four's power.
"I was serving really good today," said Cilic.
"It was just a little bit difficult to get back straight at it after the rain."
Play was suspended by rain briefly after Cilic needed five break points to move ahead at 5-4 before the orange Roland Garros covers were rolled out.
When the match resumed, Cilic's fluid serve looked stiff and that allowed Duckworth to level at 5-5.
"It was, I would say, a little bit more difficult to return," said Cilic."He was serving well. In general, it felt really good."
However, Cilic's key weapon was soon firing again and a netted return gave Cilic a 2-0 advantage.
The third set was a serving shootout between the two players as they delivered 12 aces between them before a deciding tie-break.
A long return from Duckworth allowed Cilic to seize the opportunity and take the match as Duckworth was finally forced to yield.
Canada's Denis Shapovalov defeated another Australian John Millman 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to move onto round two and South Africa's Kevin Anderson, seeded sixth, beat Italy's Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
"I'm really happy with the win," said Shapovalov.
"It's not an easy match against John. He's such an experienced player. Yeah, it was some good tennis out there today."
In the women's event, Garbine Muguruza prevailed in a battle of two former Grand Slam winners.
The Spaniard, who won the French Open in 2016, cruised past two-time Australian Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (7-0), 6-2.
"(It) was a very difficult first round," said Murguruza."I think Svetlana is an expert in clay and here, and I'm happy because it's going to help me a lot."
