the company said. Mr. Ghosn said: "The appointment of Carlos Tavares is a first step in strengthening Renault's management." The appointment followed the resignation in April of Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata, who took responsibility for a debacle in which the company was misled into firing three executives--including a member of its management committee. It accused them of selling proprietary information outside the company, but eventually exonerated and compensated them. Police are now investigating a plot to defraud the company by members of the auto maker's internal security service, three of whom have been fired. The incident badly damaged staff morale, and Mr. Pelata's departure left a large gap in senior management, as he had been effectively running Renault's day-to-day operations since the 2008 financial crisis. Renault also faces business challenges. Renault-branded cars have struggled against the brands of French rival PSA Peugeot Citroen. Sales have risen strongly for Renault's low-cost brand Dacia, but these are mostly made in Romania, leading to complaints from the French government that Mr. Ghosn is shifting production out of France. Mr. Tavares arr's just that she played a little bit more aggressive. That's why I was playing a little bit too passive. It's not acceptable at this stage of the grand slam." World number one Caroline Wozniacki and second ranked Kim Clijsters crashed out in earlier rounds as the women's game struggles with an identity crisis in the absence of the injured Williams sisters. Last year's final between champion Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur, also eliminated last week, was widely regarded by pundits as one of the most forgettable in recent years as the pair were not household names. Saturday's showpiece could be a similar affair unless one of the remaining players in the draw sparkles to life with some exciting rather than grunting tennis, even if the Paris clay makes truly memorable matches tricky. DESIGNER LABELS The Russian talked at length last week about outfits and designer labels but there was nothing eyecatching about the display from her compatriots on Sunday. There was not a drop shot or element of finesse in sight on a half-empty center court. The throngs coming to watch men's masters Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in their later matches shrewdly decided to give the first encounter a miss. Zvonareva made a shaky start following a slip but broke back twice to go 4-2 up in the first set before folding again and allowing the 14th seed to prevail in