After the laid back half-start of Sunday, it was all systems go for the rest of the bottom half of the men’s draw and a few select names from the top half. There was an early seeded casualty as Feliciano Lopez [11] tumbled in straight sets against Teymuraz Gabashvili.

There were home favorites winning all round on Monday, as a veritable cadre of Frenchmen made it through to the next round. Gilles Simon decided to rock the new black look as he prevailed in four sets over Lucas Pouille, while Gael Monfils decided to tease his adoring fans with a casual drop of the second set against Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who edged a tiebreak and put up a spirited fight in the fourth set but was overcome by Monfils. While other French players often feel crippled by performing in one of the most partisan crowds at a Grand Slam, Monfils can produce some of his best tennis here. Newly motivated with a new coach, he is keeping his fingers crossed for a fourth-round showdown with Roger Federer.

Understated as always, new favorite on the block Andy Murray closed off all the action on Chatrier. His run on clay since his nuptials (and perhaps more significantly since skipping the Monte Carlo Masters) has yielded two clay court titles for the Brit – the first clay court titles of his career. His decision to seek out some of the best clay-courters in Barcelona to practice with also helped sharpen up his game.

It also has as much to do with Murray having finally gotten to grips with the after-effects of his back surgery from the end of 2013. Most of 2014 was a constant state of adjustment with Murray racking up the court time at the end of the year to make the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where fatigue finally took its toll, seeing out the year with a whimper.

Although some may say that three defeats this year at the hands of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic may not exactly scream success from the rooftops, and while his quarterfinal losses have been to lower-ranked players, Murray looks to be back to more consistent ways. That did not stop him from giving fans and pundits alike a little wobble, as his initial commanding lead over lucky loser Facundo Arguello was edged back. We were treated to some deft drop shots and some breathtaking rallies between the two, but experience prevailed as Murray closed out a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win.

 He explained after the match, “I found it difficult at the beginning. Then I felt when the wind died down a bit in the second and third set, I felt that the level of tennis was better. It was more entertaining rallies and we played some good points.

“Because he moves extremely well, when he was in defensive positions he came up with some good sort of re-drop shots and lobs.”

Interestingly, after Roger Federer had raised some issues he had about the speed of the court, Murray offered up his own view.

“Philippe Chatrier is very slow, extremely slow. I have never felt it like that before. When I practiced on the outside courts and the sun is out, it's always pretty quick, high-bouncing. Suzanne Lenglen is a little bit slower than the outside courts, but still it's not that slow. But Centre Court, very low bouncing, which is strange.”

Of course, the stage is now set for Philip-Chatrier’s pièce de résistance, as defending champion Rafael Nadal takes center stage in possibly one of the most keenly anticipated first rounds. Will the fallen king find his crown? Or will Novak Djokovic, who follows him, start his journey to win the one Grand Slam title that eludes him?

Play continues at Roland Garros from 11am CET.