Serena Williams’s bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title remained intact as she downed Anatasia Potapova 7-6(5) 6-2 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.
On the last day of crowds at the tournament before spectators are banned for at least five days due to snap COVID-19 lockdown, Williams slumped to a 5-3 deficit in an error-strewn first set and had to save two set points at Rod Laver Arena.
Potapova double-faulted to put the match back on serve and from there it was on Williams’s terms.
The 39-year-old American will bid for a place in the quarter-finals against seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka.