PARIS — Serena Williams continued to struggle through the French Open draw on Monday, huffing and puffing her way into the quarter-finals with a 1-6 7-5 6-3 win over fellow American Sloane Stephens.
Stephens broke serve three times in the opening set against the 2002 and 2013 champion.
Williams, the 19-times grand slam winner, broke serve twice in the second set to level.
Stephens then faded away as Williams broke for a 3-2 lead in the decider before finishing the match on Stephens' serve with a dipping crosscourt backhand winner.
She next faces 17th seed Sara Errani of Italy for a place in the semi-finals.