Former world number one Marat Safin recovered from a shaky start to reach the second round of the French Open with a 6-7 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory over Monaco's Jean-Rene Lisnard on Wednesday.
Twice grand slam winner Safin will next meet fellow Russian and fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko for a third-round spot.
By the time rain ended play on Tuesday, Safin had already gained the upper hand in the match after losing the opening-set tiebreak 7-5.
He returned to the Suzanne Lenglen Court with all guns blazing as the mild weather made a welcome return to the French capital and finished off his opponent with a series of sharp forehand winners after two hours and 51 minutes.
Elsewhere, Spanish pair David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero experienced contrasting fortunes.
While Ferrer, the fifth seed, claimed a straightforward 6-3 6-4 6-3 win over Belgium's Steve Darcis, 2003 winner Ferrero was forced to retire against Marcos Daniel.
The 23rd seed had won the opening set on a tie-break and was level at 2-2 in the second when he withdrew with a leg injury.
Elsewhere, 21st seed Radek Stepanek eased to a 6-2 6-4 6-1 victory over France's Gilles Simon and 25th seed Lleyton Hewitt beat Nicolas Mahut, another home favourite, 6-4 6-2 6-4.
Fabrice Santoro gave the French something to cheer about by seeing off Evgeny Korolev in straight sets.
