The 22-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in Paris having lost his 33-match winning streak on clay to Roger Federer in Madrid, did not appear to be moving as well as he usually does on the red dirt and he was given a thorough workout by Daniel.
Williams takes a 24-match winning streak into Paris in search of her second title there.
Number One Court can often produce an intense atmosphere but, on a roasting hot day in Paris, the match began with the steep-sided stands half empty as spectators went in search of shade and refreshment after the preceeding men's match.
The crowd were behind the wild card, who is a three-time champion in Paris, throughout the match and, after a hug from Del Potro across the net, a host of Safin's current and former rivals came out on court to pay tribute to the Muscovite.
The same goes for Williams, who was favored to win in Paris last year when she arrived on a 17-match winning streak.
Blake will next face France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Andy Roddick 5-7 6-4 7-6 (7-5) in the evening match in Paris.
Ronaldinho played only 11 games for the Catalans this season after rarely missing a match to injury following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.
Diouf was furious about preparations for Sunday's friendly match against Guinea - which will be played in Paris.
Paris Match, which spices up current affairs with royal photo-shoots, began in 1949.
Nowhere else in Paris can match the Marais for its nonchalant acceptance of the leather-clad fetishist or the diner who casually puts a fold-up scooter under his chair.
Police drafted in for the match between arch-rivals PSG and Olympique Marseille clashed with angry Paris fans near Le Vieux Port, the main rail station and a motorway services.
Thompson came on tour as first-choice hooker after Dylan Hartley was ruled out of the five-match trip through injury, while Palmer impressed off the bench against France in Paris at the end of March.
Akide is one of four African players selected for the All-Star squad that will play against world champions Germany in the Fifa centennial match in Paris on 20 May.
Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall was also optimistic ahead of England's next match against France in Paris.
She has bounced back from a shock second-round loss to British teenager Laura Robson at January's Australian Open and a surprise defeat by French wild-card entry Kristina Mladenovic at the Paris Open, winning both matches as the Czechs thrashed Australia in the first match of their Fed Cup title defense.
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