Serena Williams is hopeful that her illness will pass before Saturday's French Open final.
The world No. 1 was visibly under the weather Thursday during her semifinal victory over Timea Bacsinszky, requiring all of her fighting spirit to pull through, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. She won 10 games in a row to cap the victory.
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Only Lucie Safarova now stands in the way of Williams, who is trying to secure her third French Open title and 20th grand-slam crown overall. The top seed is keeping her fingers crossed that she will be in peak condition for what will be her 24th slam final.
"I don't know how I did it — if I was going to lose, I didn't want to lose without a fight," Williams said during her post-match interview. "I just tried to find some energy from somewhere.
"I hope I will get better before Saturday. I am ill."
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Williams subsequently skipped her press conference duties Thursday, instead providing a statement to the media.
It read: "I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to press this evening. I have been feeling unwell for a few days, and after this tough match against Timea, I needed to see the tournament doctor.
"I am proud to be back in the final here at Roland Garros, in a city that means so much to me, and am determined to be 100 percent ready for the final against Lucie on Saturday."
Williams skipped practice Friday, and didn't conduct a news conference, either.