Serena Williams staged a second-set recovery to beat fellow American Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-4.
The 23-time grand slam champion is playing herself into form on the clay, with her serve noticeably better than in her first two matches.
The only wobble came early in the second set when Williams lost four games in a row but, after urging her feet to start moving again, she reeled off five straight games to clinch victory.
“I enjoy my time on the court because it’s a lot of work to entertain a three-year-old – it takes a lot of energy,” Williams said afterwards.
“But they are doing a good job here, there’s a playroom and she goes there and we do a ton of Lego!”
Expectations have now ramped up significantly thanks to a combination of solid play from the 39-year-old and an exodus of leading names from the bottom half of the draw.
Third seed Aryna Sabalenka’s 6-4 2-6 6-0 defeat by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova leaves seventh seed Williams as by some distance the highest-ranked player left in that half.
She will need to improve a lot still if she is finally to win a 24th Grand Slam singles title but few have been better at playing themselves into form through a tournament than Williams.
Her 6-4 6-4 victory over Collins, who was playing her first tournament since surgery for endometriosis, was a step up from her first two matches, with Williams’ serve working better and her determination very apparent.
The only wobble came early in the second set when Williams lost four games in a row but, after urging her feet to start moving again, she reeled off five straight games to clinch victory and set up a last-16 meeting with 21st seed Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka’s error-strewn exit has left the tournament without its top three women’s seeds inside the first week.
World number one Ashleigh Barty was forced to retire through injury during her second-round match, which followed the much-publicised withdrawal of Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka has been one of the most in-form players of the last few months and won the biggest title of her career in Madrid last month but she has yet to make a real impression at a grand slam, failing to go beyond the fourth round.
That has clearly become a psychological hurdle and, having fought back from a set down against experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova, Sabalenka struggled to keep the ball in the court, making 39 unforced errors in total.
Pavlyuchenkova will next take on Victoria Azarenka, who reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2013 with an impressive 6-2 6-2 victory over Madison Keys.
Rybakina ended Elena Vesnina’s comeback grand slam with a 6-1 6-4 victory. The Russian was playing her first major since giving birth to her daughter in 2018.
Slovenian Tamara Zidansek is through to the last 16 at a slam for the first time after a rollercoaster 0-6 7-6 (5) 6-2 victory over Katerina Siniakova.
04:04 PM
A good day all round for Williams
An impressive victory for Williams on court and off it, things have very much opened up for her, one of just four top 10 seeds left in the competition and the highest in her half of the draw.
04:00 PM
And Williams, responding in English
I feel good to hopefully be an inspiration and continue to be an inspiration. I just really enjoy my time here and playing in this crowd.
03:57 PM
Williams speaks, in french first (translated)
She played very well, I had to concentrate to win. I am very happy to win. It wasn’t easy.
03:55 PM
GAME, SET AND MATCH Williams beats Collins 6-4 6-4
Serena Williams beats Danielle Collins in straight sets, in what was her best performance of her clay court season.
03:54 PM
Williams* 6-4 6-4 Collins (*denotes next server)
Williams made her French Open debut in 1998. And here she is serving for the match and to reach the second week in 2021.
Ooops, not the best start with a double fault, just as the sun comes out. Another unforced error as she goes long. But a drive volley, with her opponent out of position, gets her on the board. You have to feel for Collins as the ball flies off the rim of her racquet on the next. And here’s match point Williams. Confirmed with a powerful serve down the tee which Collins cannot return.
03:51 PM
Williams* 6-4 5-4 Collins (*denotes next server)
Williams has shifted through the gears in these last few games, while Collins has faltered. Another double fault and then a decisive volley powered away by Williams brings up three break points.
And she only needs one chance as Collins hooks one wide. It means Williams will serve from the match, having been 1-4 down in this set.
03:47 PM
Williams 6-4 4-4 Collins* (*denotes next server)
It’s been a rollercoaster start to this second set but we’re back on serve. Two errors off the Collins racquet and Williams moves into a 30-0 lead. A few moon balls from Collins does the trick as Williams can’t quite find her range with a cross-court effort but another two errors and Williams levels the scores.
03:42 PM
Williams* 6-4 3-4 Collins (*denotes next server)
On a mini roll, Williams gets herself 30-0 up but she’s too keen on a Collins second serve, sending her return long before Collins finds the open court on the next.
The two go toe-to-toe on the baseline and then Collins picks completely the wrong shot, attempting the drop-shot and instead the ball dribbles away. She kicks her racquet in disgust. Break point Williams.
Fortune for Williams, as her return clips the net and wrong foots Collins. WILLIAMS BREAKS BACK
03:37 PM
Williams 6-4 2-4 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Here’s the charged up version of Serena Williams, each winner or Collins error greeted with a loud ‘COME ON!!!’. She’s screaming to get herself going, another point won for 40-15. Williams finishes off the game with a serve out wide, which Collins cannot retrieve.
03:33 PM
Williams* 6-4 1-4 Collins (*denotes next server)
Just past the hour mark and Williams might have the set advantage but Collins has the momentum. An error strewn game from Williams and Collins holds to love.
03:31 PM
Williams 6-4 1-3 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Collins goes on the offensive, coming in to the net to volley her way to 15-0. Williams returns with some booming strokes to move to 40-15 but Collins is not overawed, slipping in a drop-shot that Williams only takes two steps towards retrieving before conceding defeat. A sweet, sweet backhand on the run brings up deuce and Williams is rattled as she dumps into the net. Break point Collins.
Not just rattled, Williams is frazzled. A double fault. COLLINS BREAKS
03:26 PM
Williams* 6-4 1-2 Collins (*denotes next server)
Fierce hitting from these two. Even with a slight disruption mid-game when Williams goes to fetch a new towel, Collins maintains her focus to hit a winner for 40-15 and then forces her opponents into an error to hold. She almost looks like she skips back to her chair.
03:23 PM
Williams 6-4 1-1 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Slammed shut in the previous game, the door is back ajar suddenly for Collins as she impressively fashions three break points.
She can’t get on the end of a fierce deep return on the first, and when the ball then skips up kindly for Williams in the mid court, that’s a second gone. Ah but there’s a double fault from Williams. COLLINS BREAKS BACK
03:17 PM
Williams* 6-4 1-0 Collins (*denotes next server)
Normally Collins is renowned for being one of the louder players on tour, with plenty of shouts of ‘come on’. But she seems a little subdued today. What can she deliver in the second set?
30-30 not the start she would have hoped, especially as a string on her racquet then pings on the next rally. She lets out a show of frustration on the ball, her mood not helped again when she dumps a return into the net. WILLIAMS BREAKS
03:14 PM
Serena in full flow
03:11 PM
Williams 6-4 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Serving for the set… Williams opens with TWO double faults, her first of the match. Determined to rub them from her mind, she runs in to the net on the next, stretching for a volley for 15-30, before superb feet adjustment on a high bouncing ball allows her to hit a forehand winner.
Two errors from Collins and the opening set goes to Williams. It’s been just as close as we predicted.
03:07 PM
Williams* 5-4 Collins (*denotes next server)
When in doubt, revert to the backhand, Collins! From seemingly being out of the point, she zings one straight down the line on the run. And then follows that up with another for her seventh backhand winner of the set to make it 30-30.
An error brings up set point Williams but Collins digs it out with a forehand and then yells ‘come on’ after forcing Williams off court and off balance. An ace keeps her in the set.
High quality stuff so far.
03:03 PM
Williams 5-3 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Williams will be delighted at how her serve is holding up, currently 93 per cent of points won on her first serve.
A serve-volley combo finishes off the game and puts her within sight of the first set.
02:59 PM
Williams* 4-3 Collins (*denotes next server)
A fist pump from Collins and a clap of appreciation from Williams who acknowledges the lob her opponent has just inflicted on her. But soon after Collins drags a backhand wide of the tramlines and coughs up double break point.
Collins tries a drop shot, it looks like she has pulled it off but Williams somehow gets there, a scream accompanying her efforts. The point and the game is hers… but I wonder how much her strapped up right thigh felt that one? WILLIAMS BREAKS
02:55 PM
Williams 3-3 Collins* (*denotes next server)
All going with serve so far, and crucially Collins has not managed to have much of an impact on the Williams service game.
02:51 PM
Williams* 2-3 Collins (*denotes next server)
Collins’ first serve might not be firing as well as her opponent but her groundstrokes are very much on point currently, the pick of the bunch a cross-court forehand winner as she holds to love.
02:48 PM
Williams 2-2 Collins* (*denotes next server)
Williams keeping a very calm, composed manner about her at the minute. And in good news for her fans, she seems to be moving freely around the court. A comfortable hold for her there.
02:44 PM
Williams* 1-2 Collins (*denotes next server)
A brutal, no-chance-of-catching-that forehand return from Williams opens the third game. It sets the tone as in the blink of the eye she’s got herself three break points.
The trusty backhand saves Collins on the first, a body serve then ties Williams up in knots on the next…. and there’s another backhand to wrongfoot her opponent before she closes things out. Far from straightforward but Collins maintains the lead.
02:39 PM
Williams 1-1 Collins* (*denotes next server)
If Collins wasn’t already aware, there’s a reminder that Williams means business, taking on a rising volley and confidently winning the point. The seventh seed has her opponent on the run again two points later and again swats it away for 30-15.
There’s a sublime service return from Collins followed by a fist pump but Williams’ service action is ticking along nicely early on and she holds.
02:35 PM
Williams* 0-1 Collins (*denotes next server)
Collins to serve first and it’s a confident start, whipping two delicious backhands, one down the line and one cross court, to race into a 40-0 lead. But Williams pounces on some slower Collins second serves to drag the game back to deuce.
Collins’ early struggles with her first serve continue but she’s aided by a wild return long from Williams to hold.
02:29 PM
Almost time
Serena is warming up in a what looks like a black anorak, albeit a much more stylish one than you or I would wear on our travels. Below is the lime green ensemble she was wearing in the previous round.
And like in the previous round, plenty of strapping on that upper right leg.
Collins is sporting black shorts and a vest top. We’re almost ready to go.
02:25 PM
First glimpse of the players on court
The only previous meeting between Serena Williams and Danielle Collins came earlier this year in February at the Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne which Williams won on a tie-break.
Collins is prone to the odd error here and there but she’s got groundstrokes that can punish an opponent. I’m plumping for another close affair this afternoon.
02:11 PM
Zverev wraps things up in three sets…
… which means Serena Williams and Danielle Collins will be making their way from the locker room now to Court Philippe Chatrier.
02:05 PM
Collins watch
Facing Serena Williams today will be pal Danielle Collins, who spoke to tennis correspondent Simon Briggs on the eve of the tournament about her battle with endometriosis.
The American dropped just two games in her win over Anhelina Kalinina in the previous round.
02:01 PM
Seeds falling quickly in the women’s draw
Despite the wet weather in Paris, there has been a decent amount of action already today and Aryna Sabalenka’s error-strewn exit to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has left the French Open without its top three women’s seeds inside the first week.
World number one Ashleigh Barty was forced to retire through injury during her second-round match, which followed the much-publicised withdrawal of Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka has been one of the most in-form players of the last few months and won the biggest title of her career in Madrid last month but she has yet to make a real impression at a grand slam, failing to go beyond the fourth round.
That has clearly become a psychological hurdle and, having fought back from a set down against experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova, Sabalenka struggled to keep the ball in the court, making 39 unforced errors in total in a 6-4 2-6 6-0 defeat.
PA
01:58 PM
Almost time for the all-American clash
We’re into the dying embers of the match between Alexander Zverev and Laslo Dere, with the former about to wrap things up in three sets. Which means next up on court will be Serena Williams versus compatriot Danielle Collins in the round of 32.
11:15 AM
Questions over Serena Williams’ form
It’s fair to say that Serena Williams has come into a grand slam with expectations very low – in fact possibly as low as they have been in years for the 23-slam star. The American hasn’t looked remotely close to her peak – she arrived in Paris with only one victory on clay this season, was taken to three sets by Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round and heavy strapping around her thigh suggests possible injury worries.
Today her third round match up against Danielle Collins should provide a good glimpse as to where her game is at Roland Garros.
Her first round win over Irina-Camelia Begu – when she faced two set points in the first set tie-break – hinted at vulnerability and the seventh seed is yet to suggest she’ll be a challenger for the Suzanne Lenglen Trophy.
Williams beat Collins in Australia earlier this year but since then her opponent has addressed her long-standing issue with endometriosis, and this match will be tougher than those against Buzarnescu and Begu.
Speaking of Collins, who was able to stay in or around the top 50 while suffering from the debilitating condition, Williams had this to say: “She’s 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.”
Collins reached this stage thanks to 6-0, 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, a result and performance that suggests that, following her surgery, she is feeling as good as she has on court in some time. She is also known as possessing the loudest “Come on” shouts on the circuit and will be up for the challenge of taking on one of the all-time greats.
Stay here for all the action on the famous red clay in Paris and to find out if Serena has it in her to taste success for a fourth time at the French Open.