Serena Williams survives scare against Sloane Stephens at French Open
Monday 1 June 2015 20:56, UK
Serena Williams laboured to victory over Sloane Stephens in the fourth round of the French Open after an error strewn display.
The top seed was broken three times as she dropped the opening set to fellow American Stephens, but dug deep to complete a 1-6 7-5 6-3 win.
Following the exit of second seed Maria Sharapova, Williams will be strongly fancied to take the title, but she cannot afford another erratic showing against 17th-seeded Italian Sara Errani in the quarter-finals.
Stephens, who had ousted Serena’s sister Venus in the opening round, took the first set in just 23 minutes after her compatriot committed 15 unforced errors.
Both players exchanged breaks in a more competitive second set, but Williams would grab a crucial second break before serving out to force a decider.
The world No 1 refused to give ground in the third set, saving a break point with a forehand winner, before Stephens surrendered her serve with a weak forehand into the net.
Williams then wrapped up the win with a further break when Stephens sent a wayward backhand into the net.
Fourth seed Petra Kvitova became the latest big name to crash out of the tournament after a 2-6 6-0 6-3 defeat by Timea Bacsinszky.
The 23rd seed fought back from a set down to earn a place in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, where she will meet unseeded Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck.
