Serena Williams Defeats Danielle Collins to Advance in 2021 French Open

Serena Williams punched her ticket to the fourth round of the 2021 French Open with a win over fellow American Danielle Collins in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris.

Williams' victory didn't come without a little tension as she dropped four consecutive games early in the second set before storming back to advance. She recorded 22 winners and five aces in Friday's third-round match.

The three-time French Open champion, who's the Grand Slam tournament's No. 7 seed, moves on to face 21st-seeded Elena Rybakina in the round of 16.

Williams didn't put together her most efficient match, tallying 20 unforced errors and five double faults while getting just 59 percent of her first serves in, but she made up for it with a strong performance on the return. She won 45 percent of receiving points and converted four of her eight break-point chances.

It's consistent with the 39-year-old tennis legend's play so far in the season's second major. She was pushed to a first-set tiebreaker by Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round and dropped the second set to Mihaela Buzarnescu in Round 2 before taking the third set in convincing 6-1 fashion.

She hasn't found peak form quite yet, but ultimately it's hard to complain about reaching the fourth round while dropping only a single set, especially in a Grand Slam.

Williams is now just four wins away from winning her 24th major singles title, which would tie her with Margaret Court for the most in history. It would also mark her first Grand Slam title since the 2017 Australian Open and her first French Open championship since 2015.

She was asked in her post-match interview about being an inspiration for people around the world.

"I really don't think about it too much because I'm still playing, but I feel good to hopefully be an inspiration and continue to be an inspiration," Williams said. "It's fun, I just really enjoy my time here and I enjoy playing in front of this crowd and in general I always try to have fun."

Collins was gamely throughout the match, breaking Williams' serve twice in the second set and winning 79 percent of points on her first serve, but it wasn't quite enough. She compiled more unforced errors (21) than winners (18) and more double faults (three) than aces (one).

Looking ahead, Williams and Rybakina will face off in their first WTA Tour meeting during Sunday's fourth-round action.

A potential showdown with Victoria Azarenka awaits if Serena reaches the quarterfinals.