As the French Open moved into the second week, defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia looked the most impressive followed by the lone American left in the draw, the No 2 seemed Michael Chang.

With world's No 1 Pete Sampras and former champion Thomas Muster falling in the first week, along with Goran Ivansevic and Jim Courier, another former champion, the show continued to open up.

An outside favourite for this year's title was Spaniard Alex Corretja, seeded No 8 and very much in form having had a couple of great tournaments before getting to Paris. But the gusty wind and the 124th ranked Filip Dewulf, playing well above his ranking, was too much for the Spaniard and he went down in four sets.

The Swede Magnus Norman, who upset Sampras, continued his giant killing run, this time taking out the No 15 seed Marc Rosset of Switzerland in four close sets.

But the best performance of the day came from Kafelnikov who braved the windy conditions and the amazing 140 mph serve of the Australian Mark Philippoussis. Playing solid from the backcourt and attacking when necessary, he quickly jumped to a two-set lead. The Australian got a bit more into the match in the third, but the Russian's experience at the Grand Slam events and his abilities on day was too much for the young Aussie. Kafelnikov won 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

Among the women, the seeds didn't have it any easier. Champion Steffi Graf rumbled in the first set tie-break and lost it 7-6 to Irina Spirlea but then quickly found her form to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-2.

The top seed Martina Hingis, having demolished the 15-year-old Anna Kournikova in the previous round in a match between teenagers, had a very strange match against Barbara Paulus. After winning the first set 6-3, she lost concentration and very quickly the second set got away from her 0-6. Once again, showing brilliant champions' qualities, she pulled herself together to play a near flawless third set to win it 6-0.

Her previous match against Kournikova was not without some verbal rallies between the two youngsters. Hingis match was scheduled early in the day and she requested to have the match moved to later in the day to which the French Open committee agreed. Asked by the media after her match if that should have happened, Hingis said ``Well I am the No 1 player in the world and I should be able to play on the center court at a time when I want.'' Big words from a little girl!

Amanda Coetzer, seeded No 11, caused perhaps a minor upset beating the No 7 seed Conchita Martinez in three close sets. No 3 Monica Seles took out local favourite Mary Pierce in straight sets. Sanchez Vicario beat Zvereva in straight sets, which makes her a tough opponent in the second week and No 5 seed and Olympic champion Lindsay Davenport lost to No 9 seed Iva Majoli in three sets.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.