Lleyton Hewitt was delighted his renowned fighting spirit came to his rescue as he recovered from going two sets down to seal an epic victory over former champion Gaston Gaudio at the French Open.

Roger Federer was left distinctly unimpressed after he was forced to play the latter part of his second-round win over Thierry Ascione at the French Open in near-darkness last night.

IT was a day to forget for the United States at the French Open yesterday, with their nine-strong contingent of men’s singles players making history for the wrong reasons.

WORLD number ones Roger Federer and Amelie Mauresmo overcome dark, distracting conditions at the French Open yesterday in their drive for a claycourt grand slam title.

Roger Federer struggled his way into the second round of the French Open today and then aimed a verbal volley at the tournament organisers.