Andy Murray will hope the dismal Parisian weather allows him to play the role of pantomime villain at the French Open.
There was a complete washout on Monday for the first time in 16 years at Roland Garros, and the forecast for more rain could cause organisers a serious headache.
Murray’s quarter-final against ninth-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet is due to be played on Tuesday after the remaining fourth-round matches have been completed.
Gasquet reached the quarter-finals for the first time at the 13th attempt with an upset win over fifth seed Kei Nishikori on Sunday.
After four fourth-round defeats on his last five appearances at his home grand slam, it was a landmark achievement.
But history does not favour Gasquet going any further. One of those fourth-round defeats was against Murray, when the Scot came from a set down to win in 2012.
Murray has won all four of his previous slam matches against Gasquet, twice from two sets down, including famously at Wimbledon in 2008.
He has won his last 25 matches against Frenchmen in the majors dating back to a 2008 loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Australia while his only defeat by a Frenchman at Roland Garros came a decade ago against Gael Monfils.
Murray said: “I’m pumped to be in the quarters of a slam. Obviously the atmosphere will be tough but I don’t mind that.
“I’ve played a number of times against French players here in difficult atmospheres and I managed okay. So I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Playing against the crowd appeals to Murray’s contrary nature and he walked onto court for the 2012 clash with Gasquet to a chorus of boos and with a big grin on his face.
Murray and Gasquet have known each other since their junior days, when the Frenchman was considered the leading talent.
But he has never managed to reach the same level as the likes of Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, hindered by both physical and mental frailty.
He is expecting neither from Murray, saying: “He’s a huge fighter. He runs all over the place. You never get a free point. He has a very powerful mind.
“When the point is important, he serves fast, he sends it back, physically he’s perfect. He’s a big competitor. And he always hangs in there and wins these matches.
“He had a surprisingly difficult start to this tournament. But he played very well in Rome and Madrid. He’s the number two player, and for good reason. Because he’s a great player.
“We have played together very often. He’s always defeated me in the grand slams, but I’d like to change the tide.”
Djokovic must now play twice in two days, with his first test coming against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Women’s top seed Serena Williams faces Elina Svitolina, who is coached by former French Open champion Justine Henin, while Venus Williams plays eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky.
Defending men’s champion Stan Wawrinka is in quarter-final action against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, with the winner to play Murray or Gasquet.
