Serena Williams got here by a first-set battle to defeat fellow American Kristie Ahn within the French Open first spherical, as Williams continued her quest for an elusive 24th Grand Slam title.
Williams and Ahn had met on the similar stage of the US Open earlier this month – a match which Williams received in straight units – and the end result was the identical on the clay courts of Roland-Garros.
3x champion @serenawilliams survives a tough take a look at to succeed in the second spherical of #RolandGarros.
Defeats Ahn 7-6(2) 6-Zero. pic.twitter.com/vW2eXQ3U8z
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 28, 2020
Williams took the primary set on a tie-break after a battle lasting 72 minutes which was riddled with unforced errors from the three-time champion.
Ahn had damaged her rival within the third recreation to open up a lead earlier than Williams put issues again on serve in recreation eight.
Ahn, the world quantity 102 who was making her Ronald-Garros debut, then broke again instantly to serve for the set however let her likelihood slip as Williams hit again to stage at 5-5, earlier than each held serve to ship proceedings to a tie-break.
A basic @serenawilliams response.
You like to see it.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/cDEFCbFp7w
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 28, 2020
Sixth seed Williams hit her stride to wrap up the breaker 7-2, though it was exhausting going for the 39-year-old in overcast circumstances in Paris.
The distinction within the second set was stark, nonetheless, as Williams’ momentum from the tie-break carried by and the 23-time Grand Slam champion blitzed Ahn to take the set 6-Zero and e book her spot within the second spherical.
Subsequent up for Williams – who triumphed in Paris in 2002, 2013 and 2015 – will be Tsvetana Pironkova, the Bulgarian who she battled previous of their US Open quarterfinal earlier this month.
