Murray eases past qualifier at French Open

British fourth seed Andy Murray comfortably dispatched French qualifier Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 here on Tuesday to reach the second round of the French Open.

The world number four and three-time Grand Slam runner-up, whose best Roland Garros performance was a quarter-final showing two years ago, will play Italy's Simone Bolelli for a place in the last 32.

After saving a break point in his opening service game, Murray broke for a 3-1 lead and was serving for the set at 5-3 when a double-fault gave Prodon two break points, the first of which he converted with a deft drop shot.

The Scot was not prepared to allow his opponent off the hook, however, and he took the first set in the next game when Prodon landed a backhand in the tramlines.

The second set was a formality but Prodon's court craft had his opponent scampering all over the clay at times and the Frenchman broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set when a drop shot left Murray skidding in vain towards the net.

The 24-year-old broke back immediately, however, and then broke again with a forehand winner - one of 39 winners that he hit - before sealing victory when Prodon patted a forehand into the net.