Francesca Schiavone has denied she is quitting international tennis. She was taken by surprise after French Open authorities announced she was hanging up her boots.

Serena Williams, defending French Open champion, has been drawn to possibly face 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone in the third round

Pablo Cuevas, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the semi-final, won the men's title in Rio while Francesca Schiavone won her first title since 2013.

Francesca Schiavone defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7, 7-5, 10-8 in third longest women singles ever in the French Open.

Francesca Schiavone described Williams as "special" after the American won her 18th major title at the US Open, tying Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all-time list.

Rafael Nadal took close to two hours to go past Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2 to win in Doha.

Gael Monfils has had knee, back and wrist ailments which not only cost him form and fitness but sapped his morale and motivation.

Li Na, Asia's highest-ranking player in tennis history and the top seed at the WTA tournament, downed Peng, who was seeded fifth, 6-4, 7-5.

While Rafael Nadal's rivals have employed Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl, and Michael Chang - Grand Slam winners all - tennis' leading player prefers to work with his uncle Toni.

The French - Alize Cornet and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga - will face the top-seeded Polish pairing of Agnieszka Radwanska and Grzegorz Panfil in Saturday's final.