Djokovic deadlocked with del Potro in Paris

NOVAK DJOKOVIC will return to complete his third-round match at the French Open today with his six-month unbeaten run under serious threat from Juan Martin del Potro.

The powerful Argentine roared back into the contest to level at 3-6 6-3 when play was halted for the day at 9.12pm local time in Paris (8.12pm Irish time).

In a bizarre day, the must-see match of the first week fell victim to being scheduled last on the main Court Philippe Chatrier and, predictably, had to be moved as preceding matches ran into the evening.

After much confusion for spectators and presumably players alike, the decision was made to switch the contest to the vacant Court Suzanne Lenglen and play got under way at just after 7.30pm.

The women’s draw at the French Open was blown wide open today with defeats for world number one Caroline Wozniacki and last year’s runner-up Samantha Stosur.

After Kim Clijsters’ exit yesterday, Wozniacki’s 6-1 6-3 thrashing by Daniela Hantuchova means it is the first time since 1971 that the top two seeds at Roland Garros have gone out before the fourth round in the women’s singles.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 14th seed, also reached the fourth round after mounting an impressive comeback to beat Nuria Llagostera Vives 3-6 6-3 6-3.