Gael Monfils of France reacts during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, May 27, 2013. Monfils, whose career has recently been hampered by injuries, returned to the French Open with a bang on Monday to beat Czech fifth seed Berdych in a first-round marathon. [Photo/Agencies]

Local player Gael Monfils, ranked 81st in the world, upset fifth seed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in a marathon first round match at Court Phillipe Chatrier.

"There was the adrenaline and the match and the crowd, but I didn't think I would do this well," said Monfils.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, also from France, brushed aside Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

The sixth-seeded Tsonga, the last French man to reach a Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in 2008, will take on either compatriot Paul-Henri Mathieu or Finn Jarkko Nieminen in the next round.

Li Na fights past old foe to reach Paris second round