Serena Williams had to go through a number of scares before reaching the semi final of the French Open and this time around, she survived yet another scare into the final – just a step away from bagging her 20th Grand Slam title.
The American battled through several health issues throughout the French Open but she held it in and proved herself stake-worthy of a top seed when she managed to defeat Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland.
Williams was granted a disappointing first set as she lost 4-6, but the ailing top seed bounced back to secure the second set 6-3 and bludgeoned the Swiss 6-0 in the final set.
“I have tried everything. I thought if I lose I must fight. I have tried and tried, I don’t know where I found the energy,” said Williams after the match.
Albeit the grand victory, there was no sight of Williams celebrating and rejoicing. In fact, she was seen wrapping iced towels around her neck and coughing her way through the interviews.
“I have been feeling unwell for a few days,” she added.
Meeting Williams in the final is 13th seeded Lucie Safarova, who downed Ana Ivanovic to reach her first major final.
The Czech proved too powerful for the 2008 French Open champion as she won in straight sets 7-5, 7-5.
“It’s a dream come true, I still cannot believe it. The happiness is unreal,” said Safarova.
“When I realized that I could be in the final, I got tense. I was over thinking and couldn’t really concentrate. But when I lost the serve I shook it off and played aggressive again.”
If Safarova manages to clinch the ultimate title, she would be the first Czech to lift the Suzanne Lenglen trophy since Hana Mandlikova in 1981.
Photo credits: bleacher report
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