Serena Williams’ bid for a record title in the 24th Grand Slam stood as she defeated Anatasia Potapova 7-6 (5) 6-2 and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.
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On the final day of the tournament’s viewership, before viewers were banned for at least five days due to a quick COVID-19 ban, Williams slumped to a 5-3 deficit in a flawed first set and had to save two set points at Rod Laver Arena .
Potapova made a double fault to get the match back to serve, and from then on it was on Williams terms.
The 39-year-old American will apply for a place in the quarterfinals against the seventh Saat Aryna Sabalenka.