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| Open of France 2019 |
|---|
| Place: Roland Garros, Paris Appointment: May 26-June 9 |
| Blanket: Live text and radio commentary on selected matches on the BBC Sport website and application. |
Serena Williams has qualified for the third round of the French Open with a win in two sets against the Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion beat Nara, 27, 6-3 6-2 in an hour and seven minutes.
Williams, the 10th seed, will meet compatriot Sofia Kenin after her opponent, Canadian Bianca Andreescu, has pulled out after a shoulder injury.
"I'm very serious when I play, but I'm happy," said Williams, 37.
She added, "I've had a difficult year since I twisted my ankle in Australia.
"It just got really hard after that, so everything seems a little harder than normal, but at the same time, I know it's going to get better."
The first set remained in service for the first seven games. The world No. 238 Nara has proved to be a decent match for his opponent during early trade.
But Williams finally broke Nara's serve to advance 5-3 before serving the set.
She dominated the second set, breaking Nara's serve twice before serving the match with an ace, having not lost a point in the last game.
Williams then said, "I know her game very well. She had a great race in Australia and I'm watching her.
"I think it will be a good match and she has a lot to bring to the table."
"I'll remember it forever" – Williams inspires Anisimova, 17
Elsewhere, compatriot Amanda Anisimova reaches the third round after beating 11 seeds Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-2.
She will then play Romania Irina-Camelia Begu, who defeated Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic 1-6 6-3 6-4.
At 17, Anisimova is the youngest American to reach the third round at Roland Garros since Williams in 1999.
"She's done so much for the sport," said Williams, number 51 of the world.
"She's a great source of inspiration for me, I really respect her, it's great to be able to do things similar to her.
"In fact, when I had a tough defeat at the Miami Open – it was a very long game and I was very upset in the locker room – Serena came to see me and we exchanged a few words.
"It was really kind of him, and I'll remember it forever."
Williams said: "I just needed to do that, and I know she's super young.I really like all new young players."
"It's so exciting, I feel like tennis has done a lot for me, and seeing a new generation coming in is great."
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