PARIS - Volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny smashed the same racquet nine times on Monday, sending splinters spiralling into the air and ball boys running for cover in a stunning French Open meltdown. Youzhny boiled over after he slipped a set and 3-0 down to Tommy Haas in the last-16 at Roland Garros with the random act of violence becoming an instant YouTube hit. “You try and do all you can to help yourself. I tried it this way, but it doesn’t help really,” said 29-year-old Youzhny, who slumped to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Haas on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Youzhny is notorious on tour for his hair-trigger temper. At Miami in 2008, he smashed his racquet on his head so violently that blood poured onto the court.–AFP