PARIS: Not even Noah’s ark could save brittle French star Amelie Mauresmo from another demoralising defeat in the French Open. Mauresmo’s annual humiliation in a tournament her home fans believe she is destined to win has become something of an early summer rituel at Roland Garros.

But this year there were high hopes that her association with the hugely popular 1983 men’s champion Yannick Noah could change things and basically “get her head straight.” Now known more for his reggae-inspired rock concerts than his tennis skills, the dreadlocked Noah is seen as a master motivator.

But not even his pep talks and presence on the centre court on Saturday could prevent another gutting defeat for the French champion who lost 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 in a third round tie to 17-year-old Serb Ana Ivanovic.

It was the same old Mauresmo, all-powerful one moment and plunging the depths of despair the next. Against the highly-promising Ivanovic that was not good enough.

The 25-year-old third seed tried to play down the drama afterwards saying that of her

11 defeats at Roland Garros this was far from being the most frustrating. — AFP