venus breaks jinx
Venus Williams is into third round of the French Open for the first time since 2010. The seven-time major champion, seeded ninth in Paris, overpowered 20-year-old American qualifier louisa Chirico 6-2, 6-1 in 54 minutes Thursday at Court Suzanne lenglen. Williams, who turns 36 next month, was the runner-up to her younger sister Serena at the 2002 French Open. But Venus hasn't enjoyed much success at Roland Garros lately - losing in the first or second round every year from 2012-15, and missing the tournament in 2011. Venus' victory came right after Serena won her second-round match Thursday by the same score and on the same court. The siblings potentially could face each other in the semifinals.
serena' astonishing 31
Defending champion Serena Williams picked up a quick, clean victory to reach the third round of the French Open. Williams needed only 66 minutes to beat 81st-ranked Teliana Pereira of Brazil 6-2, 6-1, piling up a 31-6 edge in winners Thursday. In the first set, Williams had 22 of those winners, compared to only three unforced errors. Williams is trying to win her 22nd Grand Slam title to equal Steffi Graf's Open-era record.
Bouchard's mind problems
Eugenie Bouchard attributes her early exit from the French Open more to her mind than her tennis. After her 6-4, 6-4 second-round loss to Timea Bacsinszky, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist says "tennis is 90 percent mental" and that "the brain is like a muscle" that needs workouts. The 47th-ranked Canadian says her mentality used to be "my amazing strength" and that "I feel like I've not used that as much in the past year or so," during which the 22-year-old Canadian's ranking has slipped.
Jaziri's bid fails
Malek Jaziri has failed in his bid to become the first Tunisian man in 53 years to reach the third round of the French Open. Jaziri lost to seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. Berdych, the 2010 Wimbledon finalist and French Open semifinalist, says he was "really pushed and I was able to come back and win." The last Tunisian to reach the third round at Roland Garros was Mustafa Belkhodjia in 1963.
Ivanovic's lucky 10
Ana Ivanovic has reached the third round of the French Open for the 10th time, hitting 35 winners in a 7-5, 6-1 win over Kurumi Nara. Ivanovic, who won the title at Roland Garros in 2008, is seeded No. 14 this year. "When I'm in a good position, I feel I strike it much better," said Ivanovic, who won in Paris in 2008. "Today that was the case. And I knew I had to be aggressive and move well against her, also take time away from her, because she's great player."