Ask Serena Williams a question on a tennis court and she’ll usually have the answer. In Mihaela Buzarnescu, a 33-year-old Romanian whose world ranking of 148 says little about her wonderful ball-striking ability, she found an opponent in inquisitive mood.
After a dominant first set showing from Williams, the latest instalment of her ongoing quest for the 24th major that would bring her level with Margaret Court’s all-time record was proceeding as planned. But Buzarnescu had other ideas and Williams, a three-time champion at Roland Garros, was forced to toil for more than two hours before running out a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 winner.
Though often outgunned by her celebrated opponent, the Romanian fought tigerishly throughout and compiled a catalogue of breath-taking winners of her own. Her defiance was epitomised by a brilliant exchange deep in the third set that saw her scramble to every corner of the court before producing an exquisite drop shot winner.
By then, however, the match was effectively over as a meaningful contest. In truth, it was a wonder it had lasted so long. When Williams reeled off three straight games to wrap up the opening set in just 31 minutes, she looked set for a routine victory.
“She has a lot of skills, she’s had a lot of good wins and plays well on this surface in particular, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Williams. “I’m happy to get through that.
“It was good competition, she was playing well and I was playing well. It was fun.”
How far Williams was enjoying herself as the clock nudged the hour mark is open to question. It was then, with the American serving at 3-2 down, that Buzarnescu first made her move, carving out three break points. Williams saved each of them before emitting a primal roar, only to capitulate meekly with two unforced errors.
Williams broke back in the next game before drawing level with some forceful serving, but some sluggish footwork betrayed her inner anxiety. At 5-5, the three-time former champion struck an explosive forehand winner to bring up two break points, only for Buzarnescu to claw her way back into the game.
With Williams serving to stay in the set at 5-6, a Buzarnescu forehand clipped the net cord, carrying the ball deep into Williams’ backhand corner. Taken by surprise, the American was unable to control the ball and poked it wide, bringing up set point. Buzarnescu made no mistake this time, rifling a backhand winner to draw level at the first time of asking.
In the opening game of the decider, luck intervened on Williams’ behalf as a net cord was followed by a shot that flew up off the line, eliciting a weak response from Buzarnescu. The Romanian subsequently double-faulted to concede the game, and from there Serena dominated.
Williams will face her compatriot Danielle Collins in round three en route to a possible quarter final appointment with Aryna Sabalenka, the third seed. Sabalenka came through against fellow Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 6-3.
“It was a tough match, she played really well,” said Sabalenka. “I just kept trying. I wouldn’t say it was a great level from me today, but I fought for every point and I was just focusing on every point. I’m really proud of myself today because it was a really tough match.”
Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka beat the Danish teenager Clara Tauson 7-5, 6-4 and will next face Madison Keys, the 23rd seed, who put out 18-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada 6-1, 7-5.
Marketa Vondrousova, the 20th seed and a finalist two years ago, came through 6-1, 6-3 against Harmony Tan of France, but Belinda Bencic, the 10th seed, was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.