Rain showers delayed the start of play on day nine of the French Open on Monday.

Australian Samantha Stosur was able to get through just 44 minutes of her fourth-round clash with sixth seed Simona Halep on Sunday night and was again forced to wait.

The 21st seed is down a break and trails 5-3 in the first set against Halep, with a quarter-final spot against either world No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska or Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova on the line.

Radwanska held a healthy 6-2 3-0 over Pironkova before their match was also halted due to rain.

Belgian David Goffin and Latvian Ernests Gulbis had been expected to open proceedings on Court Philippe Chatrier but could be in for a long day in the locker room with rain forecast for much of the day.

Rising Austrian talent Dominic Thiem is scheduled first on Court Suzanne Lenglen against Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who got a walkover into the fourth round after his more celebrated compatriot, nine-times champion Rafael Nadal, withdrew last week with a wrist injury.

World No.1s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are also expected on court later in the day, weather permitting.