French Open: Serena Williams Powers Into Last 16 To Boost Record Hopes

French Open: Serena Williams is now the highest seed left in her half of the draw, with all of the world's top four absent from the second week.

Serena Williams sent out a warning to the rest of the depleted women's draw on Friday with a dominant straight-sets win over Danielle Collins to reach the French Open last 16 for the first time since 2018. The 39-year-old, still one short of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, saw off fellow American Collins 6-4, 6-4. "Today it was very difficult, but I played well, stayed concentrated. I'm very happy," said the three-time Roland Garros winner. Williams is now the highest seed left in her half of the draw, with all of the world's top four absent from the second week. She will next face Kazakh 21st seed Elena Rybakina, with a potential quarter-final against old rival Victoria Azarenka up for grabs. Williams, seeded eighth, had a slight scare in the second set when she fell 1-4 behind against 2020 quarter-finalist Collins, but won the next five games to secure victory.