Echenique still out in front

Echenique: narrow lead

Third round leaderboard:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
R Echenique (Arg) -11
M Kaymer (Ger) -10
P Waring -9
S Benson -8
R Green (Aus) -8
P Hanson (Swe) -8

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Rafa Echenique will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the French Open as he goes in search of a maiden European Tour victory on Sunday.

The Argentinian, who finished second in Munich last week after a closing albatross and started with rounds of 65 and 67 in Paris, struggled to reproduce his sizzling recent form on Saturday as he carded a one-under-par 70.

That left him on 11-under and it was only thanks to a birdie at the last that he managed to edge back clear of Martin Kaymer who is alone in second on 10-under.

Kaymer equalled the course record with his superb opening 62 on Thursday and is now well-placed to clinch a third European Tour title following a 69 that contained three birdies and just a single bogey.

England's Paul Waring occupies third place on nine-under after an eventful 68 that contained an eagle and three birdies, while England's Seve Benson (68), Richard Green (70) of Australia and Sweden's Peter Hanson (70) are a further shot off the pace.

A number of big names will still harbour hopes of contending on the final day also with Lee Westwood (seven-under), Ian Poulter (six-under) and last year's runner-up Colin Montgomerie (five-under) still within striking distance.

Westwood was forced to recover from a double-bogey on the par-three second, but despite four birdies will be left rueing several missed opportunities on the greens.

Struggle on the greens

Echenique was another to struggle on the greens and the overnight leader made a rather nervous start to his third round.

For the second consecutive day he bogeyed the 416-yard par-four first, but looked to have rediscovered his rhythm after successive birdies at four and five.

But a further bogey at eight ensured he reached the turn in a level-par 36 shots and he then produced eight straight pars before re-establishing his lead with what could prove a crucial birdie at the 18th.

"That last birdie was very good because the putter just didn't work for me today," he stated afterwards.

"When you are playing in the last group in these conditions then you are always going to be a little nervous, but after the first three holes I realised that I should calm down and try to play my game."

However, the 28-year-old remains confident he can break his European Tour duck on Sunday adding: "This is one of the biggest and best events on the European Tour and I believe that I can do it. I did it in the Argentinian Open, so why not here?"