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2021 Australian Open: Williams overcomes slow start to make Open fourth round

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/02/12/tennis.jpg"/><figcaption>Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her third round match against Russia&#x27;s Anastasia Potapova <em>REUTERS/Loren Elliott</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Serena Williams overcame an error-strewn start Friday to thwart Anastasia Potapova and ensure her bid for history at the Australian Open continued.</p><p>The 23-time Grand Slam had 31 unforced errors but wore down the Russian 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in 97 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to set up a fourth-round showdown with seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.</p><p>&quot;Definitely good to be in the fourth round,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;I came out of the blocks not like I have been (before). But it&#x27;s all about surviving and playing better every round.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/11/21/2021-australian-open-angry-row-mars-fognini-caruso-all-italian-match">2021 Australian Open: Angry row mars Fognini-Caruso all-Italian match</a></li></ul><p>The 10th seed had been in strong form so far in Melbourne as she chases Margaret Court&#x27;s record 24 Grand Slam tally, but was out-of-sorts in an error-strewn start to fall down a break. </p><p>But Potapova, 19, had a meltdown trying to serve out the first set with five double faults squandering the golden opportunity. </p><p>A refocused Williams then lifted her intensity and won a tiebreak before cruising through the second set. </p><p>Williams, the seven-time Australian Open champion, will on Sunday play Sabalenka who thrashed American Ann Li 6-3, 6-1, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. </p><div><strong>tl/mp/dh</strong></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uOAwcI3l4g4?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Serena Williams overcame an error-strewn start Friday to thwart Anastasia Potapova and ensure her bid for history at the Australian Open continued.</p>

Serena Williams overcame an error-strewn start Friday to thwart Anastasia Potapova and ensure her bid for history at the Australian Open continued.