The first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam crown, Anastasia Myskina on Monday became the first French Open champion to lose in the opening round as she was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 by doughty Spaniard Maria Sanchez Lorenzo.
Where 12 months ago the elfin Myskina had triumphed in glorious Parisian sunshine, her brief defence fell to pieces on centre court as storm clouds gathered overhead.
Drained by concerns over her mother's health, the Russian's heart simply was not in it and despite mustering a modicum of resistance in the second set she handed her 109th-ranked opponent the match with her 69th unforced error.
Since the tournament opened up to international competitors in 1925, only twice had competing champions failed to reach the second round. But neither Hungary's Jozsef Asboth in 1948 nor Spain's Manuel Santana in 1965 were beaten -- both handed their opponents walkovers.
"Tough times," Myskina said, tears glistening in her eyes. "It doesn't seem to take much to beat me these days, huh?
"I just have no confidence. I hit the ball and it just goes off the court... I have no explanation."
- French Open: Images from day one
Focus had not been a problem, though, she added.
"I clearly understood I was losing the match," the 23-year-old smiled sadly.
BATTLE-SCARRED COURT
Sanchez Lorenzo's joy was dampened by sorrow for her opponent.
"People told me about her personal problems," the Spaniard said. "It's not about her game. I think it's about her mind. I feel so sorry for her... I hope she will recover soon."
Myskina's defeat opened up the draw for 11th seed Venus Williams.
The American, who was beaten by younger sister Serena in the 2002 final, had been seeded to meet Myskina in the fourth round and she comfortably beat Spain's Marta Marrero 6-3, 6-2.
"I have big dreams for this tournament... always," the American smiled. "It's all good."
While Myskina's misery deepened, men's champion Gaston Gaudio made a solid start to his defence as he strolled past Julien Benneteau 7-5, 6-1, 6-0.
Top seed Roger Federer also made it look easy, leaving 264th-ranked Dudi Sela stunned on a battle-scarred centre court.
The Swiss world number one crushed the Israeli qualifier 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the second round.
"I've prepared well for this," Federer said. "A good win. I am ready to stay here for a while... if I can do well here, if I can win it, it will be great for me... for my place in history."
Women's top seed Lindsay Davenport will also be happy to put her performance behind her, the women's top seed struggling to an unconvincing 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik in her first tournament in four weeks.
"I just wasn't ready to go in that first set," she shrugged.
While Federer prepared for Paris by winning the Hamburg Masters, his opposite number in the women's game took a break from training to go on holiday to Mexico.
"I do consider this an important tournament but I also realise it's the most difficult one for me to do well in," she said.
PARISIAN LETHARGY
If Davenport can shake off her lethargy she could face Belgian Kim Clijsters in the fourth round and on Monday's showing, the number one seed would be heading home.
Clijsters, twice French Open runner-up, was in powerful form as she thrashed American qualifier Meilen Tu 6-1, 6-0.
The Belgian had missed the last four Grand Slams through injuries, but never looked troubled by a knee problem.
"I felt pretty good out there," the former world number one said. "It was good to have a match like this in the first round... I haven't had the perfect preparation but something like this definitely helps to get the rhythm back."
Rafael Nadal was equally impressive in battering Germany's Lars Burgsmueller 6-1, 7-6, 6-1.
The 18-year-old tournament favourite is bidding to become the first man since Mats Wilander 23 years ago to win the French Open on his debut.
"I was a little nervous as I was playing here for the first time," said Nadal, who captured the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters crowns in the run up to the French Open.
Former champion Carlos Moya overcame a slow start to oust fellow Spaniard Alberto Martin 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, and seventh seed Tim Henman romped through.
The Briton, a surprise semi-finalist last year, saw off Argentine lucky loser Juan Pablo Brzezicki 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.
