PARIS — Serena Williams's health and gamesmanship were the subjects on everyone's lips at the French Open after the ailing world number one beat Timea Bacsinszky in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Williams prevailed 4-6 6-3 6-0, recovering from a set and a break down despite looking unwell throughout, wrapping iced towels around her neck and ending the post-match on-court interview because of a coughing fit.
The American, who pulled out of a doubles match at Wimbledon last year because of a viral illness and suffered from a cold at the Australian Open, won the last 10 games after falling 3-2 down in the second set.