French Open 2018: British number one Kyle Edmund eases into the second round with straight sets win over Alex de Minaur
British number one Kyle Edmund is into the second round of the 2018 French Open.
The 16th seed beat Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets, 6-4 6-2 6-3, to advance.
The 23-year-old, who is seeded at a grand slam for the first time in his career, has now reached the second round at Roland Garros for four consecutive years.
Looking to build on his stunning run to the Australian Open semi-final in January, Edmund simply overpowered his 19-year-old opponent.
He broke serve in the first game of the match, took the opening set in just half an hour and went on to wrap up a fine victory.
It was an impressive display against a potentially tricky opponent and bodes well for another run deep into a grand slam for Edmund.
De Minaur is a highly-rated player and deceptively powerful despite his small frame.
But Edmund, now looking every inch the top-20 player he is, landed the first blow and then never let up.
The early break set the tone, while another in the fifth game of the second set, after De Minaur pushed a forehand wide, prompted the youngster to take a ball from his pocket and smash it out of Court Three in frustration.
De Minaur did break back to level at 4-4, however Edmund hit back immediately and held serve to take a 2-0 lead.
It was a ruthless display from Edmund, with breaks in the first and last games of the third set capping a perfect start to his Roland Garros campaign.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal's bid for an 11th French Open title is up and running after a straight-sets - but far from straightforward - win over Simone Bolelli.
The Spaniard - top seed, world number one, reigning champion and red-hot favourite for another Roland Garros crown - had to return on Tuesday morning to finish his first-round clash against the lucky loser from Italy.
Nadal had taken the first two sets in typically ominous style but then trailed 3-0 in the third when the rain came.
Nadal broke straight back on the resumption but Bolelli did not let him have things his own way, threatening another break at 4-3.
He then forced four set points in a marathon tie-break but the 16-time grand slam winner got over the line 6-4 6-3 7-6 (11/9).