Paris: Defending champion Serena Williams needed five match points before downing battling French hope Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 7-6 (12/10) to reach the Last 16 at Roland Garros on Saturday.
<img title="Serena Williams celebrates her victory over France&rsquo;s Kristina Mladenovic at the French Open in Paris on Saturday. Pic/AFP" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/may/29-Serena-Williams.jpg" alt="Serena Williams celebrates her victory over France&rsquo;s Kristina Mladenovic at the French Open in Paris on Saturday. Pic/AFP" /> Serena Williams celebrates her victory over France&rsquo;s Kristina Mladenovic at the French Open in Paris on Saturday. Pic/AFP
The top seeded American, chasing a fourth Paris title and record-equalling Open era 22nd Grand Slam crown, goes on to face Ukraine&rsquo;s 18th seed Elina Svitolina for a place in the quarter-finals.
But it was a tough afternoon for the 34-year-old Williams and her 26th-seeded opponent who needed to sit out a two and a half hour rain delay before the second set tie-break could commence.
Mladenovic even had a set point at 9/8 in the breaker but finally wilted on a fifth match point when she went wide with a forehand. &ldquo;She played really, really well and forced me to bring out my best tennis,&rdquo; said Williams.

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Super Serena Williams storms into Last 16 of French Open

Super Serena Williams storms into Last 16 of French Open

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