Volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny smashed his racquet nine times during a moment of despair during his match against Tommy Haas. He eventually lost the match. (AFP and AP images)

Youzhny boiled over after he slipped a set and 3-0 down to Tommy Haas in the last-16 at Roland Garros with the random act of violence becoming an instant YouTube hit.

Youzhny is notorious on tour for his hair-trigger temper.

At Miami in 2008, playing Spain's Nicolas Almagro, he smashed his racquet on his head so violently that blood poured onto the court.

On Monday (June 3), he lost the match by a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 margin. He later said his racquet sponsor won't be disappointed with his act.

"I have been with Head for 20 years. You want me to go to another company and break their racquets?," he said.

In any case, his exit from French Open will be a disappointment to his fans here and those back home in Russia.