Serena Williams despatched out a warning to the remainder of the depleted girls’s draw on Friday with a dominant straight-sets win over Danielle Collins to attain the French Open final 16 for the primary time since 2018.
The 39-year-old, nonetheless one in need of Margaret Court’s all-time report of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, noticed off fellow American Collins 6-4, 6-4.
“Today it was very troublesome, however I performed effectively, stayed concentrated. I’m very joyful,” said the three-time Roland Garros winner.
Williams is now the highest seed left in her half of the draw, with all of the world’s top four absent from the second week.
She will next face Kazakh 21st seed Elena Rybakina, with a potential quarter-final against old rival Victoria Azarenka up for grabs.
Williams, seeded eighth, had a slight scare in the second set when she fell 1-4 behind against 2020 quarter-finalist Collins, but won the next five games to secure victory.
When Williams last made the fourth round three years ago, she withdrew injured before a scheduled clash with Maria Sharapova.
The former world number one also pulled out last year following the opening round, but she looks in strong form this time around, despite sporting some strapping on her right thigh.
Williams thundered down five aces and hit 22 winners against Collins, winning in just 85 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
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