On an action-packed day in Paris, Thanasi Kokkinakis pulled off a massive comeback at the French Open to enhance his burgeoning reputation as a marathon man in tennis after another five set thriller.

The 28-year-old was in significant trouble against Italian Giulio Zeppieri after dropping the first two sets but fired back to win his second five set match in three days to join compatriot Alex de Minaur in the third round.

de Minaur had a far easier progression against Jaume Munar as rain again hit Roland Garros, causing significant delays. It did not hinder stars including Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev or Elena Svitolina, who all progressed with ease on Day 5.

Australian John Millman said they were favoured by the conditions because, as lower-ranked players including the Australians were forced to wait for the rain to clear, the leading lights were able to play their matches on schedule under a roof.

In other news, tournament organisers instituted a booze ban in a bid to silence the rowdy crowds who have driven some players to distraction over the first week of Roland Garros, but not all agree with the edict.

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BRAVEHEART KOKKINAKIS MAKES IT TWO FROM TWO FOR THE AUSSIES IN ROUND TWO

A motivated Thanasi Kokkinakis is becoming a marathon man in tennis after launching a remarkable comeback at Roland Garros to clinch a spot in the third round for the second year in succession in Paris.

The South Australian, who is trying to make up for lost time as he seeks a breakthrough at major level, looked destined for defeat when his rival Giulio Zeppieri stepped up to serve for the match in the fourth set.

But having survived a late night thriller against compatriot Alexie Popyrin two nights earlier, the 28-year-old was in no mood to surrender without a fight, reaching deep to break back on the way to a 1-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-2 victory in 3hr 45 minutes.

In the infancy of his career, Kokkinakis was able to win some tough five set matches, including a triumph over Bernie Tomic at Roland Garros in 2015 when he was still a teenager.

Considered one of the world’s most promising players, the South Australian lost confidence after becoming riddled with injuries and had an air of fragility for a period as he battled self-doubt, homesickness and motivation.

“Honestly, it feels like everything … in between was a bit of a blur up until sort of last year and maybe 2022 when I started to feel like I’m getting myself back into it. Honestly, from 2016 to 2021, you couldn’t call me a tennis player,” he said.

“But the schedule that I played, it felt like I played as many tournaments over a four or five-year span that people would in a calendar year. So I feel kind of old, but I’m also young in terms of tennis.

“I think there were a lot of results that I could have had (through that) sort of time but (I’m) trying to make up for lost time and see how I go in and try and get the most out of myself.”

The Melbourne-based star is made of sterner stuff now, as evidenced by the extended calendar he has played over the last couple of seasons, but also by his ability to prevail in tough matches such as the ones against Popyrin and Zeppieri.

Kokkinakis famously lost a brutal five set match to Andy Murray at the Australian Open at 4.05am, a result that left him gutted and could easily have crushed him.

But instead, the 2022 Australian Open doubles champion has bounced back with a vengeance in extended matches to win his last four five setters.

The run started with a victory over former Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka in Paris last year – he fell to Karen Khachanov in a high-quality four set match – and then Sebastian Ofner in a super tiebreaker in Melbourne this year.

Admittedly, he would prefer not to be pushed to the brink as it hinders his ability to push deeper into grand slams, with Kokkinakis now tasked with trying to freshen up before tackling top-ranked American Taylor Fritz on Saturday.

“Maybe I like a bit of drama. Maybe I struggle to find the level need early enough,” he said.

“I always find it tough just getting into the rhythm of the match. I feel like I’m not playing my best from the start and it always takes time for me to … find my rhythm and get used to the ball and my opponents. I think that’s been a big part to do with it.

“I think I just feel more comfortable as the match goes on with my game style and what I need to do to figure the opponent out. I guess that is the beauty of five sets, especially on clay. It gives you a chance and it gives you a rhythm to kind of get into it.”

APPROPRIATE REACTION? OR OVERKILL? FRENCH OFFICIALS CRACK DOWN ON BOOZY BEHAVIOUR

In a feisty French Open, the battlegrounds have not just been between the baselines at the world’s preeminent clay court event.

There have been stoushes between fans and players, cursing between tournament officials and the weather gods and clashes between umpires and technology when it comes to line calls.

On a day Roland Garros officials banned the booze, at least for fans wanting a beverage while sitting courtside, Novak Djokovic became the latest star to complain about behaviour.

The three-time champion, who continued his defence with a dominant 6-4 6-1 6-2 win over Roberto Carbelles Baena, dobbed in a fan making line calls from the stands. Amid a behaviour crackdown, the umpire warned the patron he could be booted out for the hindrance.

It followed allegations from Belgian David Goffin that a fan had spat gum at him during an opening round clash and an emotional plea from world No. 1 Iga Swiatek for fans to quieten down during points after her thrilling victory over Naomi Osaka.

As a result, dual-grand slam champion and Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday she had instructed security to be firm in their handling of unruly fans.

“We’re happy to see that there’s an atmosphere and emotions, which are stronger at Roland Garros than before the covid. But there are a few people who cross the line,” Mauresmo said.

“I want to be uncompromising about respect for the players and the game. I’ve given instructions to the umpires that they should be hyper-reactive so that they can control the court, if, for example, there are (shouts) between the first and second serves.

“If there is the slightest out-of-bounds behaviour in the stands, I have instructed the security staff to evacuate the people very clearly, even if they are not always easy to identify.”

Speaking in English, Mauresmo had the following warning for fans; “If they go too far, they go out.”

While the behaviour directed towards Goffin is clearly over the line, not everyone is in favour of the booze ban, with some fearing intervention from the fun police will drive younger supporters away from tennis.

Patrick Mouratoglou, who runs an exhibition series called the UTS featuring players including Nick Kyrgios that aims to enhance the interaction with fans, used social media to make the point that he disagrees with the sentiment.

Mark Petchey, a former English professional who is now an accomplished broadcaster, was sceptical of the decision.

“Tennis wants to get younger people watching. Tennis also spending most of its time telling crowds to quieten down, don’t make a sound in a rally, don’t pick a side too vigorously, don’t drink in your seat, but you should also be in that seat continuously from 11am to 7pm,” he wrote on social media.

Three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, who felt fans in Melbourne once went too far in supporting Rafael Nadal during the 2022 decider, said Roland Garros was distinct to other tournaments.

“If you ask me, I like it quiet. I like it quiet. Again, even when the crowd goes crazy, the other player’s ready to serve, quiet and let’s serve, let’s play,” he said.

“There is no in between. It either should be quiet or super loud but all the time, and then we would get used to it. I would get used to it also, and we would not actually complain about it. (But) for the moment, it’s quiet.”

The decision to ban the booze is contrary to the introduction of a party court at Melbourne Park this year, where patrons were urged to enjoy themselves. Not surprisingly, it created a boisterous atmosphere at times and not everyone was impressed.

Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova accused spectators of “meowing” at her during a loss to Paula Badosa on Crt 6, while Stefanos Tsitsipas said that while he understood the move to provide more entertainment for fans, it was a distraction for players.

“You don’t know until you’re a tennis player, when you’re trying to zone in, get in the zone, it’s difficult when you see movement and when you see stuff happening around you,” Tsitsipas said.

Nick Kyrgios infamously called out a patron he believed was alcohol-affected during his Wimbledon final loss to Djokovic in 2022 and subsequently had to settle the matter with a financial penalty and apology.

ADVANTAGE DJOKOVIC … AND THE OTHER TOP CONTENDERS AS RAIN DOUSES ROLAND GARROS

With heavy rain in Paris causing a backlog of matches once again at Roland Garros, prominent American author and journalist Chris Clarey declared this year’s major should be rebranded the “Drench Open”.

Wisecracks aside, the rain that has caused significant delays over the first week of the major prompted organisers to bring play forward for Friday by an hour, with matches scheduled to start at 10am in Paris, which is 6pm on the Australian east coast.

Recently-retired veteran John Millman gave an insight into the impact that persistent rain can have on players when saying it enhanced the claims of the sport’s superstars.

The top-ranked players already receive a benefit when it comes to practising on main courts, as well as preferential treatment when it comes to scheduling, with tournament organisers understandably keen to showcase their talents to the world.

As a result, respective world No. 1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek have had the luxury of knowing their matches will be completed under a roof on Philippe Chatrier Court, while rivals including Australians de Minaur and Kokkinakis have been subjected to repeated delays amid uncertainty as to whether their matches will begin or not.

In a series of social media posts, Millman made it clear that while he understood the higher-ranked players had earned the benefits of their lofty perch, it was another example of the sport being an uneven playing field.

“These rainy days greatly favour the high seeds,” he said.

“Prior to the tournament, (they have) more court time on the indoor stadium courts. During the tournament, being able to stick to a schedule and know when you play on a covered court saves a lot of emotional energy.

“As opposed to players scheduled to play outside (who will) wait around all day, do multiple warm ups, constantly checking radars and waiting on calls from the referee office. (It) definitely makes the day long and unsurprisingly it uses a lot of energy.

“Before I get more replies talking about how ‘seeds earned their right’, etc, I’m just pointing out something that happens at a tournament. Don’t get offended if you are a supporter of a top player. This tweet isn’t having a go at them. (It is) just something that happens in our sport.”

A current coach of a top player told foxsports.com.au it was challenging for players as they had to weigh when to eat, whether to take a nap, the right time to warm-up, whether to stretch or seek treatment, and so on. They become, effectively, amateur meteorologists.

de Minaur gave an insight into how tricky it can be for players subjected to rain delays after an opening round win over Alex Michelsen in a match that was scheduled at 11am on Tuesday but delayed by repeated 30-minute increments until they took to the court at 4pm.

“These kind of small things obviously help you get ready for a battle, (so there is) no point complaining. You can’t do anything about it, so might as well do your best and try to put in the best possible performance that you can,” he said.

After another straight sets win over Munar on Thursday, he said the rain delays this French Open had made him age a few years.

Kokkinakis, meanwhile, is yet to play a match in Europe this summer that has not been delayed or interrupted by rain.