Serena Williams seeking ruthless edge as she battles on in Paris

Williams recovered from losing the second set and will next take on Danielle Collins.

Eleanor Crooks
Wednesday 02 June 2021 22:38 BST
Serena Williams won a three-set battle with Mihaela Buzarnescu
Serena Williams won a three-set battle with Mihaela Buzarnescu (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Serena Williams is looking to find her ruthless streak after negotiating a three-set battle with Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu to reach the third round of the French Open.

The 23-time grand slam singles champion had only won one match on clay prior to arriving in Paris but is a master of playing herself into form during a grand slam.

Williams was almost flawless on serve in the opening set against Buzarnescu but things became complicated in the middle of the second and the Romanian played a brilliant point to break serve and force a decider.

Williams, who had her right thigh strapped, responded well though and completed a 6-3 5-7 6-1 victory to set up a third-round clash with fellow American Danielle Collins

Williams took only five of 14 break points, and she said: “I had some really good chances in the second set to win that. If I would have won just one point here or there, like four or five times, it would have been a different second set.

“I knew going into the third I just had to zero in on those important points. If I could just take those, it would be an easier time for me.”

Williams also feels there is room for improvement on her serve, but has been encouraged by how good it has been in practice.

“I felt it was pretty good today,” she said. “But I’ve been practising my serve a lot. I’ve been playing in practice unbelievable on my serve. The other night was, wow. I’m glad it came better today.

“My coach told me it’s good that I’m doing it well in practice because eventually it will be good in the match.”

Collins, who had not played since March following surgery for endometriosis, was a dominant 6-0 6-2 winner over in-form qualifier Anhelina Kalinina.

“She’s been playing well,” said Williams. “She’s also a really awesome person off the court. I love seeing her in the locker room.

“Ideally it would be great if we didn’t have to play each other, because I always want her to do super well.”

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka has been one of the form players of 2021 and she defeated Belarusian compatriot Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5 6-3.

“I would say I definitely feel better this year, kind of believe that I can do well here on the clay court,” said Sabalenka.

Tenth seed Belinda Bencic was beaten 6-2 6-2 by former quarter-finalist Daria Kasatkina in what is already a very open bottom quarter following the withdrawal of Naomi Osaka.

Former finalist Marketa Vondrousova and 33rd seed Paula Badosa will both fancy their chances of reaching at least the last eight.

Williams’ quarter is much stronger, with Victoria Azarenka and Madison Keys both fighting off teenage opponents in Clara Tauson and Leylah Fernandez, respectively, to move through to the third round.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in