Sharapova thrashes Pliskova to set up potential Serena clash
- by Emily Walters
- in Sport
- — Jun 3, 2018
Williams said she told her husband that she hopes "it's another girl".
Two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova saw her dreams of victory in Paris ended by a fantastic display by Anett Kontaveit.
"I had a lot of problems with those [blood clots] - I don't know how many I have had in the past 12 months", she said. After all, it's never easy for a new mother to return to any sport. "I'm taking it a day at a time".
"That's a tough one for Serena. I've got to just try harder and Serena came out".
The 31-year-old Russian, seeded 28th after missing this tournament the last two years, needed 59 minutes to win on Court Philippe Chatrier. Of course, Barty returned to the game over two years ago, and is now up to #17 in the world.
Czech world number 70 Pliskova questioned the legality of the Williams outfit when she talked with Czech media after the first round match.
Williams returned to Grand Slam tennis this month for the first time since her victory past year at the Australian Open, a tournament she won while eight weeks pregnant.
A double fault at 0-30 in the sixth game presented Barty with the first opportunity of the match, one she was gifted when Williams planted a forehand well long.
More news: Top North Korean Official Visits President Trump At White HouseThen, out of nowhere, it was as if a switch had flipped.
Serena Williams gave an ominous warning with a comeback victory against Ashleigh Barty, while Simona Halep cut a relaxed figure after dominating Taylor Townsend at the French Open.
Sharapova, the champion in Paris in 2012 and 2014, saw off Donna Vekic 7-5, 6-4 in a tie that featured 10 breaks of serve and secured on a fifth match point.
She was relaxed about her chances of adding to her three French Open singles titles. Williams was not as consistent as in the past, but that's somewhat to be expected. The American was playing a seeded player who was playing good tennis.
As she served for the match, she slipped into the net, righting herself sporting an embarrassed smile.
Having taken time away from the sport for almost 14 months soon after, the 36-year-old returned at the BNP Paribas Open in March where she won two matches before losing to her sister Venus. 'You know the challenge that is upon you. One thing is for sure, though.
Williams is, quite rightly, considered the queen of tennis - the best to ever do it.
