2021 French Open: Serena Williams advances after beating Mihaela Buzarnescu
Veteran Serena Williams dished survived a scare to beat Mihaela Buzarnescu in three sets in the second round of the 2021 French Open on Wednesday. Serena, who is chasing an elusive 24th career Grand Slam, won 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. Elsewhere, Victoria Azarenka advanced to the third round by beating Clara Tauson in straight sets. Here are further details.
Three-time French Open winner Serena has reached the third round for the third time across the last four editions. She had suffered a second-round exit at the 2020 French Open. For Serena, this was her 68th match win at Roland Garros. She now has a 68-13 record here. This was Serena's 364th career Grand Slam match victory.
The match started on an even note as both players held their serves at 3-3. Serena gained the advantage, earning a break and holding on for 6-3. Her forehand play was superb. In the second set, Buzarnescu stepped up to win 7-5. The world number 174's backhand winner helped her win the set point. Serena broke Buzarnescu early in the third set to win.
Russia's Daria Kasatkina knocked out 10th seed Belinda Bencic in the second round. The 24-year-old cruised through in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes on Court Simonne Mathieu at Roland Garros in Paris. The world number 37 will now face Romania's Sorana Cirstea, who overcame Italian Martina Trevisan 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in three sets.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka beat teenager Tauson to set up a third-round meeting with 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys. Azarenka won her second-round tie 7-5, 6-4 to gain a crucial win. Meanwhile, Keys overcame Canadian 18-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-1 7-5. Elsewhere, Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek, 23, beating American Madison Brengle 6-4 6-1. Marketa Vondrousova got past Harmony Tan 6-1 6-3.
