Serena Williams survives scare against Ashleigh Barty to reach French Open third round


SUPERMUM Serena Williams came from a set and a break down down to reach the French Open third round.

It wasn’t quite the mother of all comebacks, but Williams looked in trouble after falling behind to No 17 seed Ashleigh Barty.

Serena Williams says she is just enjoying herself as she reaches the French Open third round
Serena Williams says she is just enjoying herself as she reaches the third round
Getty Images - Getty

But the 23-time Grand Slam champion found a way to win as her Australian opponent seemed to lose belief.

Williams, who won 3-6 6-3 6-4, said: “I lost the first set and I thought: ‘I’ve got to try harder.’

“And Serena came out.”

Williams will play with sister Venus in the second round of the women’s doubles on Friday.

American legend Serena Williams admitted she had to work harder in the second set - but had to come back form a break down in that too before beating Ashleigh Barty
American legend Serena Williams admitted she had to work harder in the second set – but had to come back from a break down before beating Ashleigh Barty
Getty Images - Getty
Former world no 1 Serena Williams will again be teaming up with sister Venus in the doubles
Former world no 1 Serena Williams will again be teaming up with sister Venus in the doubles for a second-round match on Friday
AFP or licensors

She added: “Every day is a great day for me – singles, doubles, it doesn’t matter.

“I’m going to be here, fighting my heart out.


‘CHANGE IS NEEDED’ Zinedine Zidane resigns as Real Madrid manager after winning third Champions League – but Florentino Perez says legend ‘will be back’


“It’s such a great feeling.”

Next up for Williams in the singles in the last 32 is 11th seed Julia Goerges.

The German outbattled former Belgium’s French Open quarter-finalist Alison van Uytvanck 7-5 7-6 (7-5).

British No 2 Heather Watson maintained her record of never reaching the third round at Roland Garros.

The Guernsey-born star lost 6-3 6-4 to No 16 seed Elise Martins after losing her first seven service games.

The world No 80 fought back from 4-1 down in the second set to 4-4 before promptly losing serve again in her straight-sets exit.

Watson, 26, has now suffered six round-two losses in the last eight years.

Serena Williams exchanges relaxed words with Ashleigh Barty after clinching victory
Serena Williams exchanges relaxed words with Ashleigh Barty after victory
Getty Images - Getty
Serena Williams has lost none of her passion for tennis - but now perhaps is enjoying it more too
Serena Williams has lost none of her passion for tennis – but now perhaps is enjoying it more too
EPA

Leave a comment