French Open 2019, women's singles roundup: Serena Williams breezes past Kurumi Nara; Naomi Osaka survives early scare to win

Serena Williams breezes past Kurumi Nara Serena Williams advanced to the third round of the French Open by beating Kurumi Nara 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier. [caption id=“attachment_6728941” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Serena Williams of the US celebrates after winning against Japan’s Kurumi Nara. AFP[/caption] Nara, a Japanese player and ranked No. 238, reached the main draw at Roland Garros via the qualifying tournament. The gulf between her and 23-time major champion Williams was quickly apparent. Williams faced no break points, served 10 aces and made 36 winners. She will next play Sofia Kenin, ranked No. 35. Naomi Osaka battles through to beat Victoria Azarenka Naomi Osaka survived another fraught match at the French Open to cling onto her quest for a third consecutive Grand Slam title. [caption id=“attachment_6728511” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Japan’s Naomi Osaka plays a backhand return to Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka during their women’s singles second round match. AFP[/caption] After losing the first set and being a break down in the second, the top-ranked Osaka rallied to beat former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Broken by a backhand volley at the net from Azarenka in the fifth game of the second set, Osaka seemed to be in deep trouble. But, as she did in a three-set win in the first round, Osaka again proved her resilience as she turned the match around on Court Suzanne Lenglen to advance to the third round. Amanda Anisimova stuns Aryna Sabalenka American teenager Amanda Anisimova is proving to be a jinx at Grand Slam tournaments for Aryna Sabalenka. [caption id=“attachment_6728491” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Amanda Anisimova of the US celebrates after winning against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka. AFP[/caption] After previously beating the 11th-ranked Sabalenka in the third round of the Australian Open in January, the 17-year-old Anisimova did it again in the second round of the French Open, winning 6-4, 6-2. Anisimova, ranked No. 51, is making only her second appearance at Roland Garros. She lost in the first round in 2017. With inputs from Agencies.