Serena Williams through to semis

Her secret? Chocolate and macaroons.u00a0The 31-year-old laughed as she contemplated a first appearance in the last four at Roland Garros since 2003, since when she has endured four quarter-final exits and also a first round humiliation 12 months ago.

Asked the reason behind her renaissance on the slow red clay she said: "I guess (I'm) pretty fit. I had some chocolate yesterday. And the day before - and the day before and the day before.

"I usually don't like chocolate. For whatever reason I wanted some chocolate with caramel. Then I wanted a macaroon. That's my weakness, macaroons. And I love chips."u00a0