Serena Williams survives major scare to progress into French Open second round
The American star had lost just ONCE in the first round of her 70 Grand Slams but was at risk of being dumped out by Vitalia Diatchenko
SERENA WILLIAMS avoided one of the biggest upsets of her career before prevailing at the French Open.
The American had only lost ONCE in the first round of her 70 Grand Slam tournaments before arriving in Paris.
That solitary defeat came in the opening round of the 2012 French Open when she was dumped out unexpectedly by Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano.
But she soon found herself 6-2 down after the opening set with unseeded Vitalia Diatchenko today and staring at an unwanted piece of history.
However, the 37-year-old, showing no signs of injury or illness, responded by winning the second and third sets in dominant fashion.
Incredibly she dropped only ONE GAME in the next two sets as she booked her place in the second round with a 2-6 6-1 6-0 win over the Russian on the Philippe-Chatrier Court.
The No 10 seed will now play either Japan’s Kurumi Nara or Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic.
Williams said: “I was worried about playing this match and am relieved to have come through it in the end.
“I’m very happy to be back in Paris and looking forward to the rest of the tournament.
“I didn’t play great in this match but I’m happy I got through it.
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“I knew that I couldn't get worse. I just had to hang in there.
“I’m a little upset because I have been practising extremely well.
“I am just going to maybe take a deep breath. I think I was also a little nervous today.”
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