Japan's Nishikori fights back to beat Paire

Paris - Japan's Kei Nishikori staged a comeback on Philippe Chatrier Court to down home favourite Benoit Paire 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and reach the French Open third round on Wednesday.

The 19th seed, who is playing his first Grand Slam tournament since Wimbledon last year after struggling with a wrist injury, outlasted his opponent in a topsy-turvy battle.

The 28-year-old finally got the better of world number 51 Paire in a dramatic fifth set which saw three consecutive breaks of serve before Nishikori saved four break points to serve it out.

"It was a very difficult match, he played a really good second and third sets," he said.

"I changed some things and played good in the last two sets."

The former US Open finalist, who has reached the last eight twice in Paris, will next face Frenchman Gilles Simon who put out American 12th seed Sam Querrey for a place in the second week.

Results from day four of the French Open at Roland Garros on Wednesday (x denotes seeding):

Men

1st round

Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

2nd rd

Marco Cecchinato (ITA) bt Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1

Pablo Carreo-Busta (ESP x10) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG) 7-6 (7/0), 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4

Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x13) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3

Novak Djokovic (SRB x20) bt Jaume Munar (ESP) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4

Fernando Verdasco (ESP x30) bt Guido Andreozzi (ARG) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Women

1st round