he injury, sustained in his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo, ended the Serb's quest to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam trophy and will result in him losing his top ranking to Italian Jannik Sinner on Monday.

Alexander Zverev advanced to his fourth successive French Open semifinal with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win over Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.

Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open on Wednesday after dumping out fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Jannik Sinner took an unexpected path to the world number one ranking on Tuesday after Novak Djokovic's French Open withdrawal but the youngster said it was the culmination of years of hard work and represented a proud moment for Italy.

"Due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee (discovered during an MRI scan performed today), Novak Djokovic... has been forced to withdraw from the Roland Garros tournament," organisers said in a statement.

World number three Coco Gauff came back from a set down to defeat Ons Jabeur and reach her second French Open semi-final on Tuesday.

The Serbian pulled off another astonishing escape as he reached a 15th consecutive French Open quarter-final.

The 24-time Grand Slam title winner made the last 16 by defeating Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in a bruising five-set epic which concluded at 3:07 am Sunday.

Novak Djokovic can equal Roger Federer's record for Grand Slam match wins by beating Lorenzo Musetti at the French Open on Saturday.

Swiatek wrapped up victory after nearly three hours.

Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who made the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, scrambled to a 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 second round victory over a player taking part in only his second Grand Slam main draw.

Djokovic, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against 142nd-ranked French opponent Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

They are six young Italians dressed as carrots who are at the French Open in a colourful attempt to inspire Sinner to victory.

Nada suffered only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut.

"Of course, on paper it is not the best draw," Nadal said ahead of the match on Court Philippe Chatrier

Rafael Nadal admits he will be facing "one of the toughest opponents possible" when he plays Alexander Zverev in the French Open first round on Monday.

"It feels really nice to be back and I'm just really grateful to be here in front of everybody," said Osaka.

Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz bring the curtain up on the French Open on Sunday as Roland Garros prepares to bid a likely farewell to Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, who has won the French Open 14 times and will celebrate his 38th birthday on June 3, faces world number four Alexander Zverev in the first round in Paris on Monday.

He said if Nadal was in the French Open draw, he could not be ruled out, despite his injury problems and growing competition from a younger generation.