French Open day one as it happened

Venus could play Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska should the third seed progress from her first-round match against Bojana Jovanovski. The American, however, has left the court this evening, which means it's time for me to bid farewell after what an intriguing opening day. Will it be the last we see of Andy Roddick on the Parisian clay, I wonder? We'll be back on Monday from 10:00 BST for Laura Robson's match against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, which is first on Court Six. As well as live text commentary, our 5 live colleagues in Paris will be commentating on the match, too, so don't forget to tune it. And if that wasn't enough, Victoria Azarenka and Novak Djokovic will be in action too. Bye!

The 19-year-old's aim is to break into the top 30 and she will certainly be on course to do so if she maintains this standard of play throughout the year. The Argentine nets and a stern-looking Williams heads to the back of the court to wipe the beads of sweat from her brow after a hard-fought hold. Ormaechea must now serve to remain in contention...

Oh my word, I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. One minute she's up, the next she's down.... Venus breaks the Ormaechea's serve to love, the fifth time a player has broken serve in this set, and the American is serving for a 5-3 lead in the deciding set.

The teenager is still bravely varying her play, coming into the net to despatch an acute volley for 0-15. The Argentine then steps into a Venus serve for two break points! Oh la la. Williams calmly claws back one point, but can do little to halt Ormaechea from breaking serve as the 19-year-old ends an entertaining exchange with a looping forehand down the line.

Venus breaks back twice for a 3-2 lead in what has turned into a ding-dong of a match. Pulverising groundstrokes from both players from the back of the court, but Venus eventually overpowers the debutant - the Argentine swinging at air as she attempts to retrieve a thunderous Williams winner.

Williams won 83 points on her first serve during the second set, conjuring 13 winners - 12 more than her opponent. Formidable statistics for the former world number one, but Ormaechea has turned up the intensity and fashions two break points in the opening game of the final set. Venus manages to save one... but fails to wrap her wrist around volley and nets to give Ormaechea the break. The Argentine works Venus across the baseline, left to right, before swatting away a crosscourt winner and then delightfully wraps up the game for a 2-0 lead with a breathtaking forehand winner into the corner.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner is turning the screw. Venus has time to now step into the Ormaechea serve and she secures a double break, with the game reaching its conclusion when the Argentine, having dashed to the net, pushes a sliced volley into the tramlines. Williams then holds to creep within a game of levelling the match.

The sunglasses are off! Oops. Perhaps Ormaechea should consider putting them back on as the Argentine tamely nets to gift Venus a break in the second game of the second set. Ormaechea has steadily climbed the rankings this year, beating two top 50 players in 2012, but she hasn't managed to beat a player of Venus' pedigree. The American quickly holds to love and races to a 3-0 lead in the second set.

A high-pitched scream from Ormaechea to celebrate clinching the first set 6-4. Other matches are available this evening, Anastasia Rodionova leads Mathilde Johansson 7-5 and they're in a second-set tiebreak as I type, while Jurgen Melzer's match against Michael Berrer is in a fifth set with the decider, so far, going with serve.

The Williams shrieks rise a few decibels to signal an increase in intensity and a wonderful forehand winner for 30-30 leaves Ormaechea looking as if she has lead in her trainers. Venus tries to vary play, but her rare foray to the net pays no dividends so we're at deuce. Venus persists with volleying from the net though and, at the second time of asking, the ploy works. The 31-year-old then serves deep into the Argentine's ribcage, forcing her opponent to serve for the set.

Ormaechea is her country's top ranked female player and the 19-year-old, who made her Grand Slam debut down under earlier this year, is for some reason persisting with wearing shades even though the sun, admittedly once dazzling, has snuck into the clouds. I guess she looks as cool as a cucumber, whatever cool is, and is certainly playing as if she has ice running through her veins, securing a double break point for a 4-2 lead. The Argentine's backhand is proving to be her lethal weapon.

Venus has climbed from 134th in the WTA rankings to 53rd since returning to the sport two months go following her six-month absence after being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome. The American, though dazzling in a short white dress accentuated with black and purple stripes, looking little rusty, and perhaps understandably so, as the Argentine breaks early for a 3-2 lead in the first set.

Venus Williams has limbered up and her match against Argentine Paula Ormechea is now underway and the seven-time grand slam winner has little trouble winning the opening game, two aces helping the American wrap up the game.

Tsonga treats the crowd to his trademark celebratory dance which is, so I've read, called 'La Dance de Pousses' - a little jig started when he beat Lleyton Hewitt at Queen's to break into the top 100. A humdinger of a match developing on Suzanne Lenglen. Roddick won the third set 6-4, but Mahut has regrouped to earn an early break in the fourth and takes a 4-1 lead when Roddick's crosscourt forehand sails wide of the tramlines.

Tsonga, who has reached the heights of fifth in the world without a coach, has yet to go beyond the fourth round in his home tournament. The Frenchman, though, heads to the changeover with a chance to serve to win the match. "I play well in Australia, at Wimbledon," Tsonga told The Times before the tournament. "If you look at the winners of majors, you can see it is never a home player." Omitting his first-set collapse, Tsonga has been in control for the majority of this match and you'd say he has looked at ease despite the expectant glare of a home nation.

Time to pay Suzanne Lenglen a visit and, would you believe it, Roddick has broken in the third set and leads 5-3. Eight unforced errors from the Mahut racquet and a woeful 46% first serve percentage proving to be the Frenchman's downfall in that set. But, hang on, time to get back to Chatrier where it looks as though debutant Kuznetsov will not be experiencing his first win on the Roland Garros clay as Tsonga has broken and gone on to hold serve for a 4-2 lead in the fourth set.

The tide seems to have turned against Kuznetsov who, by the way, won the boys' singles title at Wimbledon in 2009, although his serve looks pretty solid at the start of the fourth set. Again, the Russian's rasping forehand has Tsonga scrambling at times, but the Frenchman varies play beautifully, coming to the net to force Kuznetsov to defend from the baseline, an it's 2-2 in the fourth.

Yes, Mahut has just won the second set to lead Roddick 6-3 6-3. Better news for Tsonga - who hit nine winners and had a 68% success rate on his serve on route to securing the third set. The 21-year-old Russian qualifier can produce some crackerjack winners but is making too many errors, although he did pose a few questions to Tsonga in the eighth game before the Frenchman's serve got him out of trouble.

Fernando Verdasco is safely through to the second round after a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7/4) win over Steve Darcis, while Tsonga, shooting from the hip, has broken early in the third set, with the Russian making five unforced errors in the opening four games.

Mahut is a set up on Roddick, with speculation mounting that this could be the American's final year at Roland Garros. The 29-year-old has always struggled on clay, with his best result in Paris being a third round appearance on his debut in 2001. Roddick is still hoping for a first win on the surface this year so do you think it's time for the American to bow out on clay? You can tweet me your thoughts using the hashtag #bbctennis or text TENNIS to 81111.

Flash, bang, wallop. A back-on-song Tsonga is serving for the second set. He opens with a howitzer of a serve, the Frenchman's feet beginning to, if not dance, then at least move more in unison. A forehand winner, which draws huge applause from the partisan crowd, earns Tsonga triple set point against the willowy Russian and the world number five levels the match with his fifth ace of the day.

Monday's schedule of play has been released and I can confirm the big guns will be coming out to play. World number one Victoria Azarenka gets play under way against Alberta Brianti on Court Phillipe Chatrier. Defending champion Li Na, who faces Sorana Cirstea, will follow the pride of Belarus and once that match concludes, world number one Novak Djokovic will take to the stage against Potito Starace. Roger Federer will be on Court Suzanne Lenglen, while Feliciano Lopez, Agnieszka Radwanska, John Isner, Lleyton Hewitt and Tomas Berdych will also be in action. And not forgetting Laura Robson who, as speculated, is first on Court Six.

Merci David, the baguette was magnifique. I'm going to stop showing off my linguistic dexterity, I think it's for the best because I only know three other words in French and I've used them all already today. Anyway, while I've been typing gibberish Tsonga finds himself in a flux. The 21-year-old Kuznetsov, currently impressively 5-1 ahead, is serving for the first set. I shall keep you informed...

Monday's order of play drip-feeding its way through to us via the time-honoured technology that is Twitter. Tennis journalist Simon Cambers says Laura Robson is first on Court Six, with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer also in action. Andy Murray will begin his campaign on Tuesday.

Hello... Kuznetsov slaps a crosscourt forehand winner past the motionless Tsonga to break for 3-1 in the first set. Still early days but this could be a belter.

Kuznetsov may be nervous but Tsonga is the one carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. The fifth seed recently suggested it was near-impossible for a Frenchman to triumph at Roland Garros - would you agree? The last man to do so, of course, was Yannick Noah in 1983.

A word from both men:

Kuznetsov: "I'm very nervous. It's my first time on such a big stadium. I'm very nervous but I've got nothing to lose."

Tsonga: "I've got all the support, my whole family, all my friends in the stadium when I play, so I'm just going to enjoy it. Every year I play my best tennis on the clay here at Roland Garros. I didn't play really well in other countries on clay. It's nice to play in front of my crowd and hopefully they give me the energy to win."

Next up for ninth seed Del Potro is Edouard Roger-Vasselin after the Frenchman overcame Vasek Pospisil 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Fairly sparse crowds around the grounds today, we're hearing. The French Open adopted Sunday starts in 2006 - good move or bad? Here's what Sam Stosur had to say about it after seeing off Britain's Elena Baltacha earlier on:

"The first year they had it, there were only a few matches and it didn't feel like the tournament had really started, it didn't feel like it was happening with fewer players around. But now with a full schedule, it really feels like the first day of the event."

As ever, your thoughts more than welcome...

Bonjour mon amis. David Ornstein taking over from Aimee Lewis for a short time. Fear not, fans, she'll be back in a bit - just popping out for a baguette and chocolat chaud.

Wawrinka, hoping - in vain you would have thought - to become the first man since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win both the Roland Garros boys' and men's singles titles, has lost the third set 6-4 against Cipolla, while on Court One Fernando Verdasco is 2-0 down in his opening set against Steve Darcis. Meanwhile back on Phillipe Chatrier, Del Potro skips from his seat to face the Montanes bullets. Should he break then he will claim the third set.

Montanes, although not a household name, I admit, will be a familiar name to the Roland Garros regulars as this is 11th appearance in the capital. Last year he reached the last 16, equalling his best result in a Grand Slam. The Spaniard seems to have been released from his earlier shackles, but has just been broken in the sixth game of the third set, a double fault proving costly for Montanes, playing on his favourite surface. Don't think Montanes can't cause an upset, though. Oh, no. I have some information for you about that - he beat Roger Federer is Estoril in 2010, although that was the last time he beat a player ranked in the top 10.

The venerable Ferrero makes short work of the third set to beat Dasnieres 6-1 6-4 6-3 and takes the first step to securing that elusive second Grand Slam title. Meanwhile, Del Potro is not looking too comfortable on the red dirt against his 31-year-old opponent. That left knee is causing the world number nine some discomfort, although, at 2-2, the third set is evenly poised.

More from Baltacha: "You never know what can happen, even with a top player - they might fall over or lose concentration. I gave everything I had and really enjoyed the experience. I'd never played on Chatrier before, it's an amazing court and it was a real privileged to play there. It would be absolutely amazing to do that again - hopefully against a player further down draw.

"I'll probably leave tonight and have a few days at home in Ipswich. Then I'll play Nottingham, Birmingham, Eastbourne and Wimbledon."

British number one Elena Baltacha: "To be honest, it was not the draw I wanted - she is one of the best players in the world on clay, it was a big ask. I knew I had to do my best, and knew if I played my best and she was patchy then I would have a chance. She played very well. I managed to get back at 5-4. It would have been interesting to see if I had made it 5-5.

"In the second set she went two levels up and that was it. She was too good. It was a great experience for me. I was able to gauge where I'm at against one of the best in the world. It was a good lesson for me today."

In keeping with Tom Clazie Flynn's tweet, BBC Sport's tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend wrote this week about how Murray remains the leading player of the group of challengers behind the big three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Yes, folks, that means there is no top four, I'm afraid. "No more does he lose sleep over the desperate quest for a first major because his job his hard enough clinging onto top spot in the second tier," says Overend. Should the British number one negotiate the first week's hurdles then he could have Richard Gasquet, David Ferrer and six-time champion Nadal blocking his path to the final. Tough, tough, tough, I hear you mutter through pursed lips. What do you think of Murray's prospects in Paris? Will he prosper because of the low expectation or wilt in the baking heat? You know how to send me your thoughts by now. Tweet me aimee_lou_lewis using the hashtag #tennis or go old skool with the text on 81111.

Cilic has beaten Daniel Munoz-De La Nava of Spain 6-4 6-4 7-5. Meanwhile on Court 7, 18th seed Stanislas Wawrinka leads Flavio Cipolla 3-2 in the second set having won the first set 6-3, while Dasnieres De Veigy now leads 3-0 in the second set, with Ferrero perhaps tiring in the heat. The Spaniard is one of 10 men aged 30 or over on court today. In fact - yes, a fact! - there are a total of 37 men aged 30 or over starting this year's main draw, a new Open Era record, which means Roland Garros is resembling a scene from the film Cocoon.

Last year, of course, Heather Watson became the first British woman for 28 years to win through the French Open qualifying and then went on to become the first British woman to win a match in the main draw for 17 years. The 20-year-old from Gurnsey plays Elena Vesnina of Russia either on Monday or Tuesday and she is not short on confidence. "I love Paris and I love playing on the clay, it's perfect for me," she said. "I came into this tournament wanting to go far, to make the second week. I didn't just come for few rounds." Can Watson replicate, or even better, her performance in Paris last year? Tweet me your thoughts using the hashtag #bbctennis or text TENNIS to 81111. I don't want to plead but it can be awfully lonely in the office on Sundays, you know...

The 5 live team have now finished their coverage but, fear not, text commentary will continue throughout the day, updating you on all the latest results. Ninth seed Juan Martin Del Potro is loosening up on Philippe Chatrier, preparing to face Albert Montanes on a sweltering day in Paris. Cloudless azure skies in the French capital and the temperature, in the words of the French Prince, is about 88.

Times tennis correspondent Neil Harman on BBC Radio 5 live's web-only commentary: "In the end, Baltacha was out-struck, out-thought and outplayed by the 2010 finalist. Stosur is worthy of her place in the second round. She knows how to play on this court, likes being out there. That was a very aggressive performance, a fine opening salvo in just over hour - accomplished and energetic. She's right in the mix.

"It's very, very difficult indeed at this level. The levels are such these days that it's tough to hang around. You have to have a bit more to your game than Baltacha has. It's hard to see what she can do to step up another level. Maybe she has reached her level. The grass is coming up, so there is much for her to aim for. This was the result we probably anticipated this afternoon."

An impressive opening game from Stosur, who hit 21 winners during that match. It was always a tough ask to expect Baltacha to beat the sixth seed, who enjoyed the most successful year of her career in 2011 when she beat Serena Williams to win the US Open. Stosur must now prepare to face either Irina Falconi of America or Romania's Edina Gallovits-Hall

News reaching us from Roland Garros... it seems British number three Laura Robson is into the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying. Official confirmation as and when we get it. She will reportedly play Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain.

Times tennis correspondent Neil Harman on BBC Radio 5 live's web-only commentary: "Stosur is playing very, very well, striking the ball very cleanly. This is going to be a tough task for the British number one."

Elena Baltacha: "It's not the draw I wanted, but that's the way it is - it's fate. Is it realistic to win? Probably not on papar. Clay is her favourite surface, but if I don't believe I may as well pack my bags and go home. I've had three top 10 wins and mentally I'm in the right place. If I play great tennis, if she's had an off day, you never know. In matches like this there is absolutely nothing to lose, no pressure. I can swing, relax, enjoy it and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Baltacha, white visor and purple dress, is in the bowels of the stadium and as she walks onto her stage she receives a warm applause from the sparse audience. Jonathan Overend and company are in glorious Paris and you can listen to live commentary of this match by clicking on the link on this very page (look to your right... over a bit... yep, there it is). Splendid.

Judy Murray has been on the telly and here's what she had to say about Baltacha's chances today: "Elena probably hadn't played as many matches as she would have liked coming in. She had a wonderful Fed Cup run in Eilat but then unfortunately picked up a little niggle in her foot. That probably affected her performance. She had a good week in Prague, won some matches there.

"Coming into this, she has a massive opportunity against the US Open champion on one of the best courts in the world. , hitting the ball harder, stepping into the court - Vesnina had better watch out. Annie [Keothavong] would be the first to admit clay is not her favourite service but she has a good chance against Czink.

"It was a heartbreaker for Laura [Robson who lost in the final round of qualifying]. She had match points in the second set and was playing great tennis but maybe got a little tight - it was a big occasion, she's still only 18. Fingers crossed she'll make it [as a lucky loser]. She's first alternate, so we hope she gets the chance to play here. She's good enough."

First we must turn our attention to Baltacha. The Brit, ranked 67th in the world, believes she has "a chance" against Australia's Stosur and is promising to "fight for every ball" in a bid to record her second victory over the sixth seed, following up on her win on the Surbiton grass back in 2003. The 28-year-old Scot reached the second round last year, but can she repeat that performance? Lob me over a text (81111) or tweet me aimee_lou_lewis using the hashtag #bbctennis

Also in action today is Ana Ivanovic (third on Court Suzanne Lenglen against Lara Arruaberrena-Vecino) and the Serb will be followed by Andy Roddick who plays Nicolas Mahut. Fernando Verdasco, Stanislas Wawrinka and Svetlana Kuznetsova will also be sliding on the red clay and we, as always, will keep you updated will all the latest scores.

Neither Nadal or Djokovic are in action today, but that's no reason for you to slam your fists on the coffee table, rattling the teacups in frustration. Britain's Elena Baltacha and reigning US Open champion Samantha Stosur will open proceedings on Court Philippe Chatrier and will be followed by Juan Martin Del Potro, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Venus Williams.

We might, just might, witness history over the next 14 days. Will it be Rafa? Will it be Novak? Can Djokovic become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once or will Rafael Nadal overtake Bjorn Borg and sink his teeth into the Coupe des Mousquetaires for a record seventh time? Novak says Nadal is the favourite, and Roger Federer agrees with the top seed. We will witness a few menacing serves and baseline brawls before we know the answer to those questions, though.

Good morning! (Exclamation denotes excitement for the start of the second Grand Slam of the year.) The giant orb in the sky is making it look as if there's glitter running through the Seine and a stone's throw away (if you've the arm of Geoff Capes), down the Rue de l'Abreuvoir (other routes are available), is Roland Garros where, come rain or shine, the energy-sapping red dirt will test the stamina and resolve of the planet's finest players.