Women's fifth seed Kiki Bertens required a wheelchair to make her exit from Court 14 at Roland Garros after a tempestuous match with Sara Errani.

The Dutchwoman survived match point - and injury - to beat the wily Italian 7-6, 3-6, 9-7.

A bad tempered affair ended without Errani indulging in the usual post-match pleasantries, rather roaring "Vaffanculo!" as her opponent lay sobbing on the court.

Bertens had issues with her thigh throughout the match, summoning her trainer on court at 5-5 in the third. This led to Errani openly mocking the 2016 French Open semi-finalist.

That all came after Errani attempted multiple underhand serves, and was given two time violations by the umpire.

It was nearly eight minutes between the end of the match and the time Bertens was wheeled off court, her limbs rigid with cramp.

Should she recover adequately, she'll play a former French Open doubles champion in Katerina Siniakova in round 3.

Serena Williams wasn't the only seed to depart the competition.

On a day when a sonic boom shook Roland Garros, the US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka was beaten by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in straight sets. The Russian had accounted for Venus Williams in the first round. Schmiedlova will play Nadia Podoroska next, in a section now shorn of any seeds.

Former world no.5 Eugenie Bouchard continued her return to form with a 3-set victory over Daria Gavrilova.