- Volvo Cars cuts sales forecast on market headwinds
- South Africa 'shattered' by divorce of rugby star Kolisi
- Putin touts 'multipolar world order' at flagship BRICS summit
- Deutsche Bank profits boosted by legal settlements
- WHO says 'intense bombardment' halts Gaza polio vaccinations
- UK's Starmer plays down Trump team claims of interference
- Son of Singapore's founder granted asylum in UK
- Mehidy, Jaker take Bangladesh into lead over South Africa in Test
- Stocks mixed as rate cut bets are trimmed, US vote in focus
- Seven dead, thousands evacuated as tropical storm batters Philippines
- Pant fit for second Test as Gill gives India selection 'headache'
- S. Korean Olympic shooter Kim keeps cool over newfound fame
- UN chief in Russia for Putin's BRICS summit
- Markets mixed as rate cut bets are trimmed, US vote in focus
- US says 'now is the time' to end Gaza war
- Harris to face voters' queries in crucial Pennsylvania
- Mehidy fifty steers Bangladesh towards parity at 201-6
- King Charles arrives in Samoa, where Commonwealth looks to shed stodgy image
- Ohtani 50-50 baseball sells for record-breaking $4.39 million
- Morikawa says 'winning is tough' ahead of Japan title defence
- New Zealand's Bowes smashes record-breaking 103-ball double ton
- Troubled Boeing faces investors and awaits strike vote
- Indian capital chokes as 'hazardous' air pollution returns
- Thousands flee homes as fierce tropical storm batters Philippines
- Tokyo Metro shares rocket on debut
- Israel says killed Nasrallah's apparent successor in Beirut strike
- Climate change worsened deadly Africa floods, scientists say
- Los Angeles Dodgers baseball icon Fernando Valenzuela dead at 63
- Indian capital's 'hazardous' air pollution season starts
- King Charles visits Samoa, where Commonwealth looks to shed stodgy image
- Cattle disease wreaks havoc in Libya
- Fernando Valenzuela: Iconic pitcher sparked 'Fernandomania'
- Warner offers to come out of retirement for India Test series
- Deyverson double gives Atletico Mineiro upper hand over River Plate
- Taipei says Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through Taiwan Strait
- LeBron, Bronny James make NBA history with father-son appearance
- Deyverson double gives Atletico upper hand over River Plate
- Tokyo Metro: Asia's oldest subway goes public
- Shiffrin eyes 100 World Cup wins as legend Hirscher returns
- Asian markets mixed as rate cut bets are trimmed; US vote in focus
- From Colombia's jungle to the world's fish tanks
- Celtics dominate Knicks to launch NBA title defense
- North Korean leader Kim inspects missile bases, ballistic weapons
- Harris says US ready for woman president
- King Charles winds up Australia trip, flies to Samoa summit
- Porn stars urge men to vote against Trump
- Judge orders Giuliani to hand over valuables in bankruptcy
- Mourinho reunion a reminder of how little has changed for mediocre Man Utd
- Taiwan says Chinese warships sailing towards sensitive strait
- Chile ex-international footballer Valdivia held over rape complaint
Djokovic untroubled at French Open as fans hit by alcohol ban
Novak Djokovic reached the French Open last 32 for the 19th successive year on Thursday as Roland Garros organisers banned alcohol from the stands in an effort to counter growing complaints from players over disrespectful, rowdy fans.
Defending champion Djokovic cracked 43 winners past Spain's 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena to canter to a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win.
The three-time champion, seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title, goes on to face either Gael Monfils of France or Italian 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic holds a 19-0 winning record against Monfils and has defeated Musetti four times in five meetings.
However, the Italian gave the Serb a major scare at the French Open in 2021 when he won the first two sets before having to retire injured in the decider.
"It was a difficult match against Roberto. He hit a lot of very good and precise shots," said Djokovic.
"The last game of the first set I played really well and started to play at a higher level. At the end of the match I was then playing very well."
Also easing through to the third round on another rain-hit day in the French capital were women's title contenders Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
However, the behaviour of fans at the tournament, which was brought into focus by Belgium's David Goffin's claim that he had chewing gum spat at him, prompted a series of measures to clampdown on loutish behaviour.
"Alcohol has been allowed in the stadiums until now but that's over," tournament director Amelie Mauresmo told reporters.
However, alcohol including beer from mobile vendors, will still be sold around the grounds.
Mauresmo said fans will be ejected if they throw something at a player and that "umpires have tighter, even more precise instructions on keeping the crowd under control".
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who effectively ended Rafael Nadal's French Open career in the first round, defeated Goffin 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-2.
Zverev arrived in Paris on the back of winning the Rome Open title and is the only player to reach the semi-finals at the last three French Open tournaments.
On Friday, a Berlin court will hear an appeal by Zverev against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
He received a 450,000-euro ($487,000) fine in October but appealed the ruling earlier this year, leading to a full trial.
The 27-year-old is not required to attend the proceedings and insisted on the eve of the tournament that he "believes in the German system".
On Thursday, he refused to further discuss the case.
"I have said everything before the tournament," he said.
After only nine singles matches were played after a Wednesday washout, 55 second round ties were scheduled on Thursday.
Amongst early winners were world number two Sabalenka who fired 27 winners past Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima to win 6-2, 6-2.
- 'Blanket and tea' -
The two-time Australian Open champion, a semi-finalist in Paris in 2023, has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams and is expected to be Iga Swiatek's chief rival in the Pole's quest for a fourth French Open title.
Sabalenka will take on close friend Paula Badosa of Spain for a place in the last 16.
"It's not the best weather. I feel like going back to the hotel. Getting a blanket and hot tea, and Netflix," said the Belarusian who had the benefit of playing under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.
Fourth-seeded Rybakina, the only woman to defeat Swiatek on clay this year, was similarly untroubled. She eased past Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-4.
Former world number one Daniil Medvedev moved into the last 32 after his opponent Miomir Kecmanovic retired with injury while trailing the fifth seed 6-1, 5-0.
S.F.Warren--AMWN