In a day that saw us edge ever closer to the men’s quarterfinal that shall not be named, it was the women who provided the most drama in a tense encounter once more between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka. The pair had been at the start of an enduring rivalry before a foot injury ruled the Belarusian out for most of last year. Now she plays her role of demon in the draw with quite some effectiveness. She has defeated Caroline Wozniacki three times alone this year, and she sent Venus Williams packing in the opening round in Madrid before bowing out herself in a battle against Serena Williams.

This time around, she was very much the aggressor, constantly putting Williams under pressure. Azarenka was rewarded with the first set and even took the initiative in the second set before Williams finally found the spark that had seemed to be lacking in her game. The real drama centered on a very late call as Azarenka was battling to save set points, having surrendered her 4-2 lead in the second set. A late call after the ball had been struck resulted in the point being replayed, and it was enough to put Williams in the driving seat to take the second set.

To give Azarenka her due, she hit back with a break in the first game of the deciding set. But, just as Williams put together a run of four games in a row to level the match, she kicked up a gear, reeling off the next six games to seal the match 3-6 6-4 6-2. Many questions should be asked about the call.

Azarenka said, “I think my honest opinion was that call was [expletive] and everybody knows it. But it's part of the game. Sometimes it happens this way. But I think it wasn't a fair call.” She suggested it was time for a more formal review mechanism.

Williams had to agree, with perhaps a little hint of humor from a situation at another crucial moment in a Grand Slam. “I think that would be really cool because sometimes you may or may not foot fault,” she said wryly.

Meanwhile the men in the top half of the draw booked their places in the second week, starting with Andy Murray. He had a handful certainly in the first set with Nick Kyrgios, who likes nothing better than a big stage to prove his point. He gave as good as he got, nullifying Murray’s early advantage and scorching past him with some blistering forehands, not to mention one of the shots of the tournament with a tweener lob that left Murray motionless.

Unfortunately an elbow injury started to wind down Kyrgios’ usually potent serve, and Murray was able to take the initiative to ease his way into the second week, 6-4 6-2 6-3. He will face Jeremy Chardy, who was also in the zone as he defeated 17th seed David Goffin in straight sets.

Murray said, “It was really after the first set or [Kyrgios’] last service game of the first set where he started to slow the serve down. In the rest of the game, he was still hitting huge shots. But on the overhead clearly he was struggling there, and that was obviously to my benefit.”

The other young Aussie on the draw sheet for the day perhaps fared a little better, as Thanasi Kokkinakis had his moment with the world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who prevailed 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Djokovic said, after the match, that “we didn't have that many young successful players under 20 years old in the last six, seven years. So I think it's quite refreshing for tennis and it's pretty good to see that. I thought he served well. He played pretty well. I made the three breaks each set, and that was enough for the win.”

Rafael Nadal continued his progression, also in straight sets, and he will face Jack Sock, who continued his great run by blowing Borna Coric off the court. Coric was no doubt feeling the effects of a bruising five-set encounter with Tommy Robredo. Sock has enjoyed the time that the clay gives him to set up his shots, but he surmised that his next round might throw up a more challenging opponent.

Sock joked, “[Nadal’s] decent in this tournament. Well, he's lost one match here. That will be a fun one. I said a few days ago, I'm not really one to get a whole lot of nerves before big matches. I more look forward to it and it should be hopefully an exciting match and hopefully I can play some good tennis and give him a good battle.”

Talking of battles, the scene is set for more French potential glory, including another chance for Gael Monfils to bring his best tennis as he takes on Roger Federer and bids for his third win in a row over the Swiss on the clay.

Play resumes at 11am CET.