Williams struggled for each point, eventually coming through 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
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French Open: Serena Williams is still in the running of her 24th grand slam title win. The 39-year-old registered a battling win over a spirited Mihaela Buzarnescu.
Buzarnescu, who reached a career high of world ranking 24 in 2018, slipped down to 148 after being faced with a lot of injuries. Maybe it was her day, or her will to recover, she was dangerous and fierce on the court.
The Romanian made the seventh seed fight for each point. It was almost like Williams struggled for each point, eventually coming through 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 after two hours and three minutes on court.
Williams was a bit shaken once she reached Paris. Defeat only made her way. At the WTA Tour events since reaching the Australian Open semifinals in February, and she lost two of her three matches in those clay courts.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion won against Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round. She did not have it easy though. She had to get through the first-set tiebreaker before easing to the finish line in the second set.
Williams appeared in control early on, but a break by the Romanian midway through the second set created some unexpected tension. She got the break back, only to drop her final service game of the set.
Williams, who had her right thigh strapped, will next face compatriot Danielle Collins in the third round. The 27-year-old had earlier cruised through her clash with Anhelina Kalinina for the loss of two games.
