Serena Williams demolishes Elina Svitolina at Roland Garros

Christopher Devine

Serena Williams demolishes Elina Svitolina at Roland Garros image

After waiting two days due to rain at Roland Garros, Serena Williams wasted little time Wednesday in easing past Elina Svitolina to reach the French Open quarterfinals.

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The reigning champion and World No. 1 stayed off the court and out of the continued showers Monday and Tuesday, but enjoyed a comfortable morning's work on Court Philippe Chatrier when her fourth-round match belatedly took place.

World No. 20 Svitolina, who is coached by four-time French Open winner Justine Henin, was down 4-0 inside 12 minutes and found herself outclassed as Williams triumphed 6-1, 6-1.

Svitolina's second serve was ruthlessly targeted by Williams, who made light of a predictably slow court and heavy balls to repeatedly take the attack to her 21-year-old opponent.

To her credit, Svitolina found occasional success on Williams' serve, claiming a solitary break in the opener before earning seven further opportunities, which ultimately failed, in the space of two games in the second set with the aid of several impressive return winners.

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Williams was in command for the majority of the encounter, however, as she set up a quarterfinal meeting with Carla Suarez Navarro or Yulia Putintseva.

 

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Williams (1) def. Svitolina (18) 6-1, 6-1

 

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Williams - 27/17

Svitolina - 10/15

 

ACES

Williams - 8

Svitolina - 0

 

BREAK POINTS WON

Williams - 6/8

Svitolina - 1/8

 

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Williams - 51

Svitolina - 62

 

PERCENTAGE POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Williams - 72/50

Svitolina - 39/19

 

TOTAL POINTS

Williams - 64

Svitolina - 35

Christopher Devine