By Ros Satar
(June 2, 2013) PARIS – Serena Williams notched another straight sets victory over Roberta Vinci 6-1, 6-3, before trying out more French on the Court Phillipe Chatrier crowd, although, to be fair, many of the games were well fought and close.
Vinci was a lot more competitive in the second set, holding her serve much more capably throughout the second set, including a half volley winner.
That was the trigger, though, for Williams to change through her gears, responding with a both a break and a hold to love to set up an quarter final bout with 2009 champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova.
At times looking at those Vinci winners in disbelief, and at times tried by her forehand being magnetically drawn to the net, Williams was happy to continue her current run of form.
“Every match I’m really I think focused for the whole period of time, the whole time,” said the world No. 1.
“I think I just really ‑‑ I really want it, every match.”
Williams had a game plan for what Vinci would throw at her, but some of the best shots in the match were with both of them up at the net.
Williams explained: “You go crosscourt, down the line, you can go lob, go at their feet.
“You have so many options, and then you have to be ready for the next shot.
“I think it’s fun. It makes it really fast and fun for me.”
Looking ahead to her quarter-final with Svetlana Kuznetsova, Williams believed it will be one to watch.
She said: “The last time we played here she won, so that will probably get her pumped up and she’s on a comeback.
“She has nothing to lose but everything to gain. She also wants to do well, and she’s won this tournament before.”
Perhaps the thing that has challenged Williams the most (outside of the weather) is speaking French for her post-match on-court interview.
She negotiated questions about being in the second week of the slam, and how she felt about her form and, it has to be said, seemed to answer fairly competently.
She freely admitted, though that it is harder to conduct her interview in French, than to close out a match.
