Serena blasts "cheat" and Djokovic wilts at Open

PARIS (Reuters) - A listless Novak Djokovic made a shock exit at the French Open on Saturday, while Serena Williams provided more fireworks by labelling her opponent a "cheat."

The fourth-seeded Serb, tipped as the man who could deny Rafael Nadal a record fifth consecutive title after snapping at the Spaniard's heals throughout the claycourt season, instead became the biggest name to tumble out.

Djokovic hopes were snuffed out 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the third round by Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber before women's second seed Williams created some drama of her own.

Six years after accusing the now-retired Justine Henin of "lying and fabricating" in a controversial semi-final defeat in Paris, the American laid into Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez after dispatching the Spaniard 4-6 6-3 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

Martinez Sanchez grabbed an ill-tempered opening set after breaking in the fifth game of the opening set with a controversial shot which appeared to have ricocheted off her arm on its way over the net.

"The ball did touch her 100 percent on her arm," said Williams, who struggled with breathing problems in the match.

"The rules of tennis are when the ball hits your body, then it's out of play. You lose a point automatically. So the ball hit her body, and therefore, she should have lost the point instead of cheating.

"It was clearly my point ... I've never sunk low."

While Williams was clearly fired up, Djokovic appeared to be dragging dead weights around his ankles against Kohlschreiber.