Roger Federer and Serena Williams made their second round matches look like child's play on Children's Day at the French Open, as the Paris crowd were treated to some magic by a quintet of French players.
Federer continued his calm and assured progress at Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Indian qualifier Somdev Devvvarman, and now faces home favorite Julien Benneteau who fought past German Tobias Kamke in a tense five-setter.
"I think I'm playing okay," Federer said. "But definitely I think the next match is going to be sort of the big test for me to see exactly where I stand.
"I think I'll know more after the Benneteau match."
Four other French players made it to the third round, with Jo Wilfried Tsonga making light work of Finn Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3.
"I suppose I could have produced a better copy book, if you will, less blotchy," Tsonga told reporters.
"The person I was playing is an iconic person on the tour and he's sure as a Swiss clock. Beating him is never easy. Today (Wednesday) it was a pretty tall order."
Tsonga now faces compatriot Jeremy Chardy, who booked a place in the third round with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 win over Spain's Robert Bautista Agut.
Gael Monfils, who was given a wildcard after he went down the rankings with a knee injury, continued his good form in the tournament with a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 over Ernests Gulbis, following up his epic win over Tomas Berdych in the first round.
"It's a great feeling in my home town," Monfils said. "I'm very tired at night time and exhausted in the morning. My body feels heavier. But I never give up.
"My parents say to me, don't think about it. Do it. Don't think. Do it. Deep inside my dream is to win a Slam and deep inside I know I can make it -- now, next month, whenever. I will wait for my time."
Gilles Simon also advanced, finding form at the right time after going down a set to seal a 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 win over Pablo Cuevas.
One Frenchman, however, did not make it to the next round, with Michael Llodra finding the big-serving Milos Raonic too tough to handle, with the Canadian prevailing 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Meanwhile, David Ferrer faced little trouble in his straight set 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 win over fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes.
In the women's section, Serena Williams was at her ruthless best, shutting out French teenager Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-2.
"I just really wanted to be serious and to get this win under my belt," the tournament favorite said. "I came out strong because I knew I had to."
Victoria Azarenka was at her loudest and effective best, coming through a tricky encounter against former doubles partner Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-4 in her first round match which was delayed by rain.
Caroline Wozniacki will have more time to watch her boyfriend Rory McIlroy hit the golf courses after crashing out to Bojana Jovanowski 7-6 (2), 6-3, while Ana Ivanovic, a former champion at Roland Garros, had no such trouble, easing past Mathilde Johansson of France 6-2, 6-2.
Agnieszka Radwanska and Petra Kvitova also entered the third round with victories over Mallory Burdette of the United States and Aravane Rezai of France respectively.
