Superb Serena, red-hot Nadal progress at Roland Garros

World
Europe

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Former world number one Serena Williams produced yet another terrific performance to defeat German Julia Gorges 6-3 6-4 at the French Open on Saturday.

The talismanic American, playing her first Grand Slam following a maternity break and creating ripples with her black "Catwoman suit" with red waistband, broke Gorges' serve three times to accomplish a smooth victory in one hour and 15 minutes.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will face her bête noire Maria Sharapova, who recorded a comfortable 6-2 6-1 win over sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova, in the fourth-round.

"Today, I was very solid," Williams said after the match. "Gorges is a very difficult opponent. But I don't know – I go, I play, and I win."

Former Boxer Mike Tyson and his wife Lakiha Spicer are seen supporting Serena Williams during her match at Roland Garros. /VCG Photo

Interestingly, Williams leads the head-to-head record against Sharapova, with 19 victories and just two defeats, and their last encounter – straight-sets win for the American – took place in the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, World Number one Simona Halep booked her place in the fourth round with an easy 7-5 6-0 win over German Andrea Petkovic, who was struggling with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza hit 15 winners in order to register a 6-0 6-2 victory over Australia's Samantha Stosur without burning any sweat.

In the men's draw, defending champion Rafa Nadal continued his progress after scripting a power-packed display to beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-2 6-2.

The Spaniard, who is turning 32 today (Sunday), will take on unseeded German Maximilian Marterer, who outclassed Estonia's Jurgen Zopp 6-2 6-1 6-4.

"I think the courts are improving – that's my feeling," said Nadal, "The problem the first days, the gravel, I don't know, from the back was coming up and then was mixed with the clay, so that was the problem. That's why it was very slippery."

He added "I believe that every day the courts are (getting) better and better."

Rafael Nadal in action against Richard Gasquet at Roland Garros. /VCG Photo

Next up for Nadal is German youngster Maximilian Marterer, who will make his first round-of-16 appearance at a Grand Slam.

"He's a player that has a good serve, good forehand," the Spaniard mentioned. "He hits the ball with big topspin. He has power, so he's a dangerous opponent."

Ninth seed American John Isner has stormed into the fourth round after beating local hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(1) 6-4 7-6(4) while fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro made it to the second week in Paris for the first time since 2012, defeating claycourt specialist Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5 6-4 6-1.