Daniel Brands ensured it was no regular Monday at the office for Rafa Nadal when the Spaniard came desperately close to being shown the door after walking on to Chatrier Court to begin his hunt for an eighth French Open title.
Roger Federer is used to ending grand slam tournaments on Sundays rather than starting them but the French Open's quirky schedule could not throw the Swiss stylist off his stride as he strolled through his Roland Garros opener in ruthless fashion.
It was little wonder Maria Sharapova's jubilant coach was holding aloft his index finger as the Russian enjoyed a double celebration after sweeping into her maiden French Open final.
There is a reason Rafa Nadal is called "the Boss" by Nicolas Almagro, and overnight the ruthless claycourt king fired his fellow-Spaniard in his pursuit of a record seventh Roland Garros title.
A new name will be engraved on the Suzanne Lenglen trophy after the last remaining champion, China's Li Na, was felled in the fourth round of the French Open by a bespectacled 142nd ranked qualifier better known for her doubles skills.
Fourth seed Andy Murray, grimacing in pain, battled his way into the third round of the French Open by defeating Finn Jarkko Nieminen 1-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 despite back problems.
After four days of play, the French Open is now without a Williams sister in the draw after former runner-up Venus joined 2002 champion Serena in making an early exit.
First-round victories at the French Open have put Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in reflective mood, with the Swiss chalking up a new landmark and the Serbian world number one considering the pressure of always trying to win.
Venus Williams tamed a plucky teenaged fan who once emailed her for playing tips while fellow American Andy Roddick found himself off target as he bowed out in the first round of the French Open.
As Maria Sharapova prepared to serve while only a point from defeat in the French Open semifinals, Li Na was thinking what any opponent would at that precise moment.
At last, Rafael Nadal sounded satisfied.
Quickly and rather quietly, Roger Federer is back in the French Open semifinals.
Rafael Nadal has improved his record at Roland Garros to 42-1, beating Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open.
His 43rd consecutive victory complete, Novak Djokovic ripped off his white baseball cap, pivoted to look up at his parents, coach and other supporters in the stands, then let out a yell.
There were plenty of excuses available for Kim Clijsters after a stunning collapse in the second round of the French Open against a woman ranked 114th.
Novak Djokovic's perfect season is still intact and his clay-court form still looks devastating after he reached the third round of the French Open when Victor Hanescu retired because of injury.
It's newsworthy enough when anyone manages to win a set against Rafael Nadal at any stage of the French Open - let alone two sets in the first round.
Novak Djokovic has extended his perfect season into the French Open, beating Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 in the first round.
Rafael Nadal won his fifth French Open title this morning (NZT), beating Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to reclaim his unofficial crown as the King of Clay.
Sam Stosur's quest to end Australia's drought at the French Open has come to a sticky end at the hands of an inspired Francesca Schiavone.
