Serena Williams’ demise yesterday turned the ripples into shockwaves at a French Open full of surprises as Maria Sharapova assumed the mantle of title favourite.

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray battled past Andrey Golubev in four sets to mark his return to the French Open at Rolland Garros yesterday.

Li Na helped Stan Wawrinka set an unwanted record after joining her fellow Australian Open champion in losing in the first round of the French Open.

Stanislas Wawrinka admitted he is struggling to piece together the puzzle of life as a grand slam champion after crashing out of the French Open in the first round.

Rafael Nadal yesterday became the first man ever to win eight singles titles at a single grand slam with a straight-sets win over Spanish compatriot David Ferrer at the French Open.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat Roger Federer and keep alive hopes of a home winner at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic will meet rising star Grigor Dimitrov in a cracker of a third-round tie at the French Open after dispatching Guido Pella for the loss of only four games.

Novak Djokovic believes his rivalry with Rafael Nadal that is currently dominating tennis can only be good for the game.

Novak Djokovic put on a stunning display of resolve to advance to the semi-finals of the French Open with a thrilling five-set victory over home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal continued his trouble-free progress at the French Open with a 6-1 6-3 6-4 victory over Eduardo Schwank in the third round this evening.

Maria Sharapova continued her impressive form at the French Open as she booked her place in the quarter-finals with a straight-sets win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Andy Murray battled his way into the third round of the French Open with a gutsy 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 7-5 victory over dangerous lucky loser Simone Bolelli this afternoon.

Roger Federer negotiated a potentially-tricky first-round tie against Feliciano Lopez in fine style at the French Open this afternoon.

David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga posted convincing wins on the opening day of the French Open, but Marin Cilic’s poor run continued as he was dumped out by Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo.

RAFAEL NADAL last night revealed all the frustrations of the past year came pouring out as he sobbed into his towel after sealing a fifth French Open title.

RAFAEL NADAL last night insisted tomorrow’s French Open final against Robin Soderling would not be a grudge match, because the Swede had become a better person in the past year.

Rafael Nadal roared into his fifth French Open final today to set up a clash against the only man ever to have beaten him at Roland Garros.

Roger Federer refused to contemplate the potential loss of his world number one status following his shock French Open quarter-final defeat to Robin Soderling.

Francesca Schiavone today produced one of the most complete performances of this year's French Open to stun Caroline Wozniacki and become the first woman into the semi-finals.

Serena Williams today revealed she was suffering with a cold and sickness bug after a medical time-out helped her recover from a second-set malaise to reach the last 16 of the French Open.

Ana Ivanovic’s miserable grand slam run continued today when the 2008 champion crashed out of the French Open barely an hour after play finally got under way at Roland Garros.

SERENA WILLIAMS admitted she was just pleased still to be in the French Open after struggling to shake off Swiss youngster Stefanie Voegele in the first round yesterday.

Serena Williams admitted she was just pleased still to be in the French Open after struggling to shake off Swiss youngster Stefanie Voegele in the first round today.

Roger Federer began the defence of his French Open title today with a comfortable victory over world number 71 Peter Luczak.

DINARA SAFINA must be ruing the day her brother talked fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova out of quitting tennis.

Svetlana Kuznetsova claimed her second grand slam title after capitalising on a host of errors by Dinara Safina in the all-Russian French Open final.

Svetlana Kuznetsova set up an all-Russian French Open final with Dinara Safina by beating Australian doubles specialist Sam Stosur in three sets in today's second semi-final.

Top seed Dinara Safina reached her second successive French Open final with a straight-sets win over Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the last four today.

FRENCH OPEN title favourite Roger Federer is receiving overwhelming support on and off the court as he moves a step closer to greatness.

French Open title favourite Roger Federer is receiving overwhelming support both on and off the court as he moves a step closer to greatness.

Second seed Roger Federer made his 20th consecutive grand-slam semi-final with a convincing straight-sets victory over France's Gael Monfils at the French Open this evening.

Andy Murray looked back fondly on a breakthrough clay-court campaign after seeing his French Open dreams perish at the quarter-final stage last night.

ANDY MURRAY admitted he was left helpless by Fernando Gonzalez’s booming forehand as the Chilean ended the Scot’s impressive run at the French Open at the quarter-final stage, the 12th seed Gonzalez powering his way to a 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-4 win.

Top seed Dinara Safina came from a set down to defeat 19-year-old Victoria Azarenka today to reach the French Open semi-finals.

Roger Federer denies there is any extra pressure on him now arch-rival Rafael Nadal is no longer in the running for the French Open title.

Sixth seed Andy Roddick broke new ground at the French Open with his comfortable third-round win over Frenchman Marc Gicquel today.

PORTUGUESE 16-year-old Michelle Larcher De Brito grunted her way into the limelight at the French Open on a day Venus Williams made her now customary early exit from Roland Garros.

Second seed Serena Williams found some welcome form on clay today to cruise into the third round of the French Open.

TOP seed Rafael Nadal last night broke another French Open record as he stayed on course for a fifth successive title with a routine straight-sets victory over Teimuraz Gabashvili in the second round yesterday.

Andy Murray survived a major mid-match slump to defeat Potito Starace in four sets in the second round of the French Open today.

Andy Murray survived a major mid-match slump to defeat Potito Starace in four sets in the second round of the French Open today.

Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Gael Monfils were relentless today as they sealed their places in round two of the French Open.

TOP seed Rafael Nadal yesterday created a French Open record for consecutive wins in the men’s singles – but he admitted he was not at his all-conquering best in his straight-sets triumph over qualifier Marcos Daniel.

Top seed Dinara Safina confirmed her status as title favourite by crushing British number one Anne Keothavong on day two of the French Open.