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By Erik Gudris | Saturday, May 28, 2016

 
Serena Williams Roland Garros

Serena Williams handled a tough French opponent, a tough crowd, and tough conditions to reach the last sixteen at Roland Garros.

Photo Credit: Getty Images


Defending French Open champion Serena Williams finds herself back in the Round of 16 after enduring a tough French opponent and a lengthy rain delay in Paris.

French Open: Thiem Defeats Zverev to Reach Last 16

The World No. 1 faced off against No. 26 seed Kristina Mladenovic of France. While Williams has a second home in Paris, the local crowd was firmly behind their countrywoman. Mladenovic, who has more doubles success this year, said before the match she was looking forward to playing Williams for the first time.

Mladenovic was no stranger to rising to the challenge on her home court. A few years ago, she upset then defending Australian Open champion Li Na in the first round.

Early in the first set, Mladenovic held her own against the World No. 1. The Frenchwoman matched Williams’ power and read Williams’ serve very well.

Williams, unable to blast her opponent off the court, grew more frustrated by the minute. Williams managed to hold serve for 3-2, but not before Mladenovic hit yet another oustanding shot earlier in the game.


Williams, looking tense and not moving well, continued to fight for every service game. With Mladenovic often times winning their exchanges up net, Williams was forced to rely on her big serve to keep her nose in front.

After another tough game, Williams struck a huge ace followed by a loud scream. She then held for 5-4 after yet another combination of a big serve followed by an even bigger yell.

Despite Mladenovic’s fortitude, the Frenchwoman wavered as she served to stay in the set. A poor game that included a missed forehand and a double fault contributed to Williams owning a 0-40 lead. Williams missed out on her first two set points. But a big return from Williams finally secured her the set 6-4.

With dark rainclouds threatening in the distance, things looked imperative for Williams to possibly finish the match off in a hurry. Williams seemed to have her opportunity early in the second set at 2-all.

Mladenovic, distracted by the impending weather, the crowd, and something in her eye, fell behind 0-40. But thanks to better serving, and several miscues from a tight Williams, the French No. 1 held serve for 3-2.

Once again later in the set, Williams held 0-40 on Mladenovic’s serve. Yet again, showing steely resolve and backed by the crowd chanting “Kiki”, the Frenchwoman would not yield. With more potent forehand winners and well-timed drop shots, Mladenovic held again for 3-all.

By now, an irritated Williams was 1 of 11 on break point opportunities in the match.

Strong serving from Williams once again put the pressure back on Mladenovic. With rain imminent, the Frenchwoman found herself again serving to stay in the set at 5-4.

But Mladenovic held her own with steady hands at net and more forehand winners to hold for 5-all. Williams enjoyed an easy service hold for 6-5.

With the pressure back on her, and with rain now steadily falling, Mladenovic answered the challenge agin. The Frenchwoman, with strong serving including an ace on game point, booked her place in a tiebreak as play was suspended.

The tiebreak commenced after the two hour rain delay ended.

Williams got off to an error-filled start allowing Mladenovic to open up a 3-0 lead. Mladenovic would eventually hold a 5-2 lead. But Williams found her range again. With a backhand volley winner followed up by another off of Mladenovic drop shot, Williams got back on level terms.

A huge smash followed by a huge roar from Williams earned her her first match point.

But Williams missed on another smash that put things at 6-all. Mladenovic would save two more match points against her as she incited the Paris crowd to get more vocal. Soon, Mladenovic held a set point. But Williams swatted that away with another smash winner.

The Frenchwoman saved another match point against her with a forehand winner. At 10-all, Mladenovic hit a return wide that handed Williams her fifth match point. Williams finally closed out the match thanks to a forehand error from her opponent.

A jubliant Williams celebrated the 6-4, 7-6(10) victory. She will next face Elina Svitolina in the next round.



 

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