Murray disgruntled after bad light brings halt to his delayed battle with Chela

Play was suspended until today due to bad light at just after 9.30pm local time, with world No 4 Murray leading 6-3 3-3 and seemingly keen to play on.

But Chela was not so eager and won the battle of wills when tournament officials called a halt to proceedings, much to Murray's annoyance.

A succession of rain delays on day four at Roland Garros meant the contest did not begin on Court One until 8.07pm local time and there was never any real prospect of it finishing last night.

Murray admitted after Monday's epic first-round win over Richard Gasquet that, with his congenital knee problem currently giving him grief, another five-setter could kill off his tournament hopes.

So in one respect, the prospect of playing his match with Chela in two parts might have been expected to appeal to the Scot, especially in light of his record against the Argentinian.

Murray had won their last five meetings without dropping a set, including at this month's Madrid Masters and in the first round at Roland Garros last year.

However, a quick match did not appear to be the order of the day in a start which saw a succession of gruelling rallies with both players forced to save break points in their opening service games.

The Scot broke to 15 in game three and secured a double-breakto lead 4-1, his drop shot proving particularly useful in setting him up for winners.

Chela survived a set point at 5-1 but Murray comfortably served out the set.

The beginning of the second saw Chela get his act together on his own serve, but the 30-year-old Argentinian was broken to give Murray a 3-2 lead.

However, the world No 54 continued to trouble the Scot on serve, an overrule in game six giving him break-back point.

Murray saved that but netted on a second to hand Chela parity. The Argentinian responded to going to 3-3 by questioning the fading light and play was suspended at just after 9.30pm, prompting Murray to slam his racquet into his bag before leaving the court.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga raced through a horribly one-sided 6-0 6-1 6-4 second-round win over fellow Frenchman Josselin Ouanna in just one hour 19 minutes.

Eighth seed Tsonga was unhappy at having to play his first-round match – which saw him narrowly avoid defeat in a five-set marathon – on Sunday, revealing he had asked to start his campaign on Monday or Tuesday.

The 25-year-old claimed Murray would not be treated with such contempt at Wimbledon, nor Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open.

Defending champion Federer made an error-strewn start to his second outing of this year's tournament, giving his opponent a chance to serve for the first set, but he survived the scare before winning 7-6 (7/4)

6-2 6-4 to set up a tie with German Julian Reister.

Robin Soderling needed just one hour 11 minutes to beat hapless Taylor Dent 6-0 6-1 6-1.

Tenth seed Marin Cilic enjoyed a 6-3 7-6 (7/4) success over Daniel Gimeno-Traver and 11th seed Mikhail Youzhny came from a set down to beat Lukas Lacko 6-7 (8/10) 6-3 6-3 6-2.