Serena powers past Peer
Serena Williams stayed on course for a mouthwatering French Open quarter-final with Justine Henin after overpowering Shahar Peer in the fourth round today.
Williams watched sister Venus crash out of the women’s singles at Roland Garros yesterday but there was little danger of the world number one following suit as she clinched a 6-2 6-2 victory after one hour and seven minutes on Philippe Chatrier Court.
The 28-year-old struggled to hold serve at times and was broken twice but fashioned an impressive six breaks of her own to set up a clash with Henin - which would be a rematch of the Australian Open final – or Samantha Stosur.
Today’s match was Williams’ first grand slam meeting with 18th seed Peer since a remarkable Australian Open quarter-final three years ago, which saw the American fight back from 4-1 down in the deciding set before going on to lift the title.
Williams had won their other three clashes in straight sets but looked in for a difficult afternoon when she lost the first seven points today, dropping serve in the process.
She won the next five to break straight back before Peer dropped serve again in games six and eight.
Both players saved break points early in the second set before Williams made one count in game four.
A brilliant backhand from Peer got the set back on serve but she was unable to hold in the next game and Williams broke her again to love to seal victory.
