Serena Williams played two highly contrasting sets but asserted her dominance when it mattered most to win her opening match at the French Open 2020. The sixth seed endured a tough challenge from fellow American Kristie Ahn in the first set but eventually prevailed 7-6(2), 6-0 once she found her feet.

Serena Williams was relieved to get through the challenge. “I started off very strong in the first game, and I ended up in a tie-breaker. So I was glad to get through that as she was up a break a couple of times in that first set,” Williams said right after the match.

The three-time French Open champion also said that she is prepared to fend off challenges that come her way. It’s okay. You have to be prepared for everything. Right now this is what life is and I think it’s for the best and I’m prepared for that,” Williams said.

Serena Williams overcomes a tough challenge

The unseeded player came out of the blocks in style. She broke Serena Williams’s serve after a lengthy third game and soon jumped to a 4-2 lead. The 23-time Grand Slam winner broke back soon to level things but was broken back to 0 in the very next game.

Ahn had a chance to serve for the set, but this time Williams fought back in style. Both players then held their nerves to take things into a tie-breaker, where Williams upped the ante and conceded just two points to seal the first set.

Williams credited her countrymate for a tough match. “She played actually really well, to be honest. She was just striking the ball, not making any errors and playing smart,” Williams added.

Williams used her momentum from the end of the first set and just sailed through the second set. Williams attacked from the very beginning of the set and gave her opponent no room for a comeback.

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Respecting the situation

The 39-year-old superstar also threw light on life without fans in stadiums. She admitted that respecting the situation is important and feels it has been a ‘wild year’.

“Its been so much happening in the world. It’s been tough, it’s been wild. Yeah, it’s been just an interesting year, to say the least,” Williams added.

Williams faces Tsvetana Pironkova in the next round, in a rematch of their US Open 2020 quarter-final.