There were 17 American women in the French Open draw at the start of the week. At the end of play on Monday – if rain does not sluice through the entertainment – there will be one and her name is likely to be Serena Williams, despite trailing by a set and being 3-1 down in the second.
The World No 1, by turn moody, tearful and seemingly ill as she wiped her eyes and spluttered into her towel between games for most of the two hours and two minutes this dramatic fight lasted on Court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday evening, somehow found a way to grind down Victoria Azarenka 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and book a place in the fourth round against her compatriot Sloane Stephens.