So it is logical to say that even lower-ranked players like Nicolas Escude and Fabrice Santoro will confidently expect good runs in Paris, especially with the home fans behind them.

BBC: The French revolution

Nowhere more than in Europe, where aspiring centres such as Paris and, especially, Frankfurt are eagerly contesting London's dominance.

ECONOMIST: London pride

That it took Sharapova eight years is remarkable, especially since the time between her breakout title at Wimbledon in 2004 and Saturday's victory in Paris seems like two or three decades.

WSJ: French Open 2012: Maria Sharapova's Time to Shine

Outside of the United States, iReporters like Larry Langner of Paris, France, found that pay phones were not terribly difficult to find, especially in major cities.

CNN: Pay phones: The search for an endangered species

"Perhaps, however, Jospin has recognised that peace in the Middle East has a greater chance if Paris bolsters Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's position and especially puts the Syrian side in its place, " it says.

BBC: Mixed media reaction for Jospin