Claycourt machine Rafa Nadal held off another challenge from great rival Novak Djokovic to claim a record extending ninth French Open title with a 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 victory on Sunday.
Chinese reigning champion Li Na eased past Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of 2012 French Open on Monday.
Venus Williams insisted on Sunday that just being at the French Open was an achievement after an energy-sapping illness almost sabotaged her Olympic dreams.
Alphajet planes from the Patrouille de France (France's Patrol) fly over the Philippe Chatrier court before the start of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 27, 2012.
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 on Sunday.
Enjoying a surge in momentum and form at three clay tournaments leading up to the French Open, Asia's first Grand Slam champion Li Na is full of confidence to defend her title at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros seven wins away from becoming the first man for 43 years to hold all four Grand Slam titles concurrently.
The distractions of being French Open champion led to six wasted months, said 2011 winner Li Na, who has finally found her form again in time to defend her title next week.
Fast Retailing's Uniqlo has signed tennis star Novak Djokovic to a five-year contract in an attempt to increase its brand appeal among European and US-based shoppers.
World number 18 Kei Nishikori has pulled out of the French Open because of a stomach injury, the Japanese said on Tuesday.
Nadal claims sixth Italian Open title with emphatic win over world No 1 Djokovic, AFP reports
Rafa Nadal enjoyed the perfect fillip ahead of his French Open defence by downing world number one Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-3 in the delayed Rome Masters final on Monday.
Maria Sharapova saved a match point to beat Li Na in the Italian Open final on Sunday after a teo-hour rain break turned the match into a tiebreak shootout.
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