PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) – Frenchman Benoit Paire accused umpire Enric Molina of double standards after he was docked a penalty point for receiving coaching at a crucial part of his third round defeat by Kei Nishikori at the French Open on Saturday.

The temperamental 24-year-old had already been warned for smashing a racket during the second set of his 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4 6-1 defeat on Suzanne Lenglen court when he was given a point penalty at 5-4 in the second set against the 13th seed.

PARIS (Reuters) – Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka both bludgeoned their way through to the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday as the sun finally returned to Roland Garros and the noise levels went up.

Defending champion Sharapova was given a scare by China’s Zheng Jie, recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to win 6-1 7-5, while third seed Azarenka was pushed even harder before winning a three-setter against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) – Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka both bludgeoned their way through to the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday as the sun finally returned to Roland Garros and the noise levels went up.

Defending champion Sharapova was given a scare by China’s Zheng Jie, recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to win 6-1 7-5, while third seed Azarenka was pushed even harder before winning a three-setter against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) – Frenchman Benoit Paire was docked a penalty point for receiving coaching from his support team during his third-round defeat by Kei Nishikori at the French Open on Saturday.

The temperamental 24-year-old had already been warned for mangling a racket during the second set of his 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4 6-1 defeat on Suzanne Lenglen court when he was given a point penalty on set point against the 13th-seeded Japanese player.

PARIS (Reuters) – A lack of sunshine, inferior opponents in his face and now a rant at the French Open schedule – things are not going as planned for defending champion Rafa Nadal despite a belated second-round victory at Roland Garros on Friday.

The Spaniard finally got his challenge for a record eighth title moving again after it ground to a standstill in dismal weather, seeing off Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3.

PARIS (Reuters) – Kevin Anderson became the first South African to reach the fourth round of the French Open since 1996 when he outslugged 14th seed Milos Raonic on Friday.

The 27-year-old, Africa’s only men’s singles main draw entrant, won 7-5 7-6 (4) 6-3 in a match he dominated with his serve to equal the feat of Wayne Ferreira.

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) – Kevin Anderson became the first South African to reach the fourth round of the French Open since 1996 when he outslugged 14th seed Milos Raonic on Friday.

The 27-year-old, Africa’s only men’s singles main draw entrant, won 7-5 7-6 (4) 6-3 in a match he dominated with his serve to equal the feat of Wayne Ferreira.

PARIS (Reuters) – If young Americans like Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock are to keep climbing the rankings they will need plenty of the staying power compatriot John Isner demonstrated once again on Friday.

The 28-year-old Isner, who won the longest tennis match of all time at Wimbledon in 2010, delved deep into his fuel reserves to fight off Harrison, 21, from two sets down to reach the third round of the French Open.

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) – If young Americans like Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock are to keep climbing the rankings they will need plenty of the staying power compatriot John Isner demonstrated once again on Friday.

The 28-year-old Isner, who won the longest tennis match of all time at Wimbledon in 2010, delved deep into his fuel reserves to fight off Harrison, 21, from two sets down to reach the third round of the French Open.

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) – A lack of sunshine, inferior opponents in his face and now a rant at the French Open schedule – things are not going as planned for defending champion Rafa Nadal despite a belated second-round victory at Roland Garros on Friday.

The Spaniard finally got his challenge for a record eighth title moving again after being bogged down by dismal weather, seeing off Slovakia’s Martin Klizan after being outplayed for a set, but the 26-year-old was not happy.