Andy Murray admitted he was surprised how well he played as he opened his French Open campaign with a thumping win.

Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela could have been a banana skin opponent for the British number one and third seed but he was swatted aside 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in double-quick time.

Murray has never been beyond the third round at Roland Garros in two previous visits, while Chela, once ranked as high as 15 in the world, is a former quarter-finalist.

The Scot will now get two days to rest before taking on either Germany's Mischa Zverev or Potito Starace, of Italy, in Wednesday's second round.

"I was not expecting to play that well in the first match," he admitted.

"It was a very good win and I didn't make too many mistakes, so I'm delighted.

"I was pleased that I was able to dictate the points so well. I was worried what would happen if the rallies were long, because Chela likes that, but it wasn't a problem.

"He was an opponent to take seriously. I couldn't take him lightly and that was my mindset from the start of the match.

"I'm a bit surprised to be honest, I really wasn't expecting that performance."

Murray has certainly shown signs of improvement on his least favored surface, reaching the semi-finals in Monte Carlo and the last eight of the recent Madrid Open.

But he has played down his pre-tournament hopes, despite his seeding, a view also endorsed by former British number one Greg Rusedksi.

"I'm pleased but I've got another tough match in the second round and there are some very good players in my side of the draw," he added.

"But if I play that well, I've got a good chance of winning matches comfortably."