French Open 2021: Serena Williams battles into Round 3, Daniil Medvedev prevails in 4-set thriller

Seventh seed Serena Williams was pushed the distance at the French Open 2021 on Wednesday but the American managed to beat Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3 5-7 6-1 to move into the third round where the 39-year-old goes up against fellow countryoman Danielle Collins.

Her superior serve back at its unreturnable best, Serena Williams was in full control of her French Open match — until, suddenly, that stroke wasn’t as dominant and neither was she.

And then, pushed to a third set by an opponent offering up all sorts of spins and speeds and angles, Williams regained her form and forged to the finish.

At last year’s tournament, which was moved to a September start because of the pandemic, Williams retired prior to her second-round match due to an Achilles injury.

Williams has won the French Open three times — in 2002, 2013 and 2015. Williams next faces fellow American Danielle Collins, who overwhelmed Anhelina Kalinina 6-0, 6-2 in 62 minutes.

Collins reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros last year.

MEDVEDEV STRETCHED TO 4 SETS

The two-time finalist at hard-court Grand Slam tournaments is finally making some headway on the red clay of Roland Garros. He reached the third round in Paris for the first time by coming back from a poor start to eliminate Tommy Paul of the U.S. by a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 score Wednesday night.

The No. 2-seeded Medvedev carried an 0-4 record at the French Open into this year’s draw. But he is 2-0 in Week 1 this time so far.

The runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the 2019 U.S. Open and to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open this February next plays big-serving American Reilly Opelka, who is seeded 32nd.

Opelka will also be in the French Open’s third round for the first time. He advanced Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Jaume Munar.