Serena Williams announce her shock withdrawal from the French Open on Monday with injury just minutes before her scheduled fourth-round clash against long-time rival Maria Sharapova.

German second seed Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic edged closer to a possible French Open semifinal clash of generations, with the youngster edging out Karen Khachanov and the former champion seeing off Fernando Verdasco in the last 16 on Sunday.

Serena Williams set up a mouth-watering French Open last-16 duel against bitter rival Maria Sharapova on Saturday.

Nadal continued his bid for an 11th French Open title by brushing aside home favourite Gasquet

Maria Sharapova set up a potential last-16 clash with Serena Williams by crushing sixth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-1 in the French Open third round

German second seed Alexander Zverev saved a match point in coming back to defeat Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur in five sets to reach the French Open fourth round on Friday, while former champion Novak Djokovic made the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the 43rd time.

Rafael Nadal set up a French Open third-round clash with his "good friend" and home darling Richard Gasquet by thrashing Argentina's Guido Pella on Thursday.

Rafael Nadal stormed into the French Open third round

Title challengers Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem struggles into the French Open last 32 on Thursday as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal waited to join them.

Former champion Novak Djokovic reached the French Open third round for the 13th consecutive year by beating Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday, while second seed Alexander Zverev staged a fightback to win a five-setter with Dusan Lajovic.

Rafael Nadal racked up his 80th French Open win, while Maria Sharapova battled back from a final set deficit to reach the second round as Serena Williams made her eagerly-awaited Roland Garros return to Grand Slam tennis on Tuesday.

Two-time champion Maria Sharapova survives a serious scare to claim a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp in her first French Open match since 2015 on Tuesday.

Nadal racks up 80th French Open win

Three-time champion Serena Williams will make her eagerly-awaited return to Grand Slam tennis on Tuesday with a French Open first-round match against Kristyna Pliskova on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka was dumped out in the first round by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez yesterday, a defeat which will send his world ranking plummeting, while late evening rain halted Rafael Nadal's first match in his pursuit of an 11th Roland Garros title.

"Any change in seeding rules for returning mothers at Grand Slam tournaments would have to be for all players and not just Serena Williams" Azarenka said

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka and Victoria Azarenka suffered shock exits on Monday.

Rafael Nadal regained the number one spot ahead of the French Open in the world rankings on Monday after winning his eighth Rome Masters title.

Fresh from attending the Royal wedding, Serena Williams will take aim at the upstarts who have been honeymooning at the majors in her absence when she makes her long-awaited Grand Slam return at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters for the eighth time on Sunday when he defeated defending champion Alexander Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 after a stunning comeback.