Serena survives big scare to ease into third round

Paris
Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova survived big scares at the French Open Thursday, both needing to come back from a set down to reach the third round.

Williams, 19 times a Grand Slam winner, survived an almighty fright before finally seeing off the challenge of world number 105 Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany.

The 33-year-old, top-seeded American dropped the first set and faced break points against her unheralded 21-year-old opponent in the second, but she rallied just in time to go through 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

She will next face either two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic for a place in the last 16.

The Belrusian is back in business after losing much of last year to a bout of depression and injuries.

“I lost last year at the same stage (second round) and didn’t want to do that again. It wasn’t great but I won. I was battling with myself, but it was better in the last set,” Williams said.

COLD, BLUSTERY CONDITIONS

In cold, blustery conditions, fourth seed Kvitova made it through to the last 32 with a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 win over Spain’s Silvia Soler-Espinosa.

But it was another nervy showing from the Wimbledon champion who was taken to the limit in her opening match against New Zealander Marina Erakovic.

In the men’s competition, defending champion Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a 10th French Open title with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 breeze past compatriot Nicolas Almagro.

Sixth seed Nadal will face either Austria’s Jurgen Melzer or Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia for a place in the last 16.

“I am very happy. I played a great match and was very solid,” said nine-time champion Nadal.

Nadal edged ahead with what proved to be the crucuial break for a 2-1 lead in the first set. (AFP)