AFP
Serena Williams continued her quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title by reaching the French Open second week for the first time since 2018, after third seed ArynaSabalenka's surprise loss left the veteran American as the highest-ranked player in her half of the draw.
In the men's third round, fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev beat big-serving Americans in John Isner and Reilly Opelka respectively.
Three-time Roland Garros champion Williams came through a potentially tricky third-round tie with compatriot Danielle Collins, winning 6-4, 6-4.
She will next face Kazakh 21st seed Elena Rybakina, with a possible quarter-final against old rival Victoria Azarenka up for grabs.
The 39-year old Williams, still one short of Margaret Court's all-time record of most Grand Slam singles titles, thundered down five aces and struck 22 winners past Collins.
Williams fought back from 1-4 down in the second set.
The eighth seed had already seen yet another of her potential title rivals exit the tournament Thursday, when world No 1 Ashleigh Barty hobbled out during the second round with a hip injury.
After Naomi Osaka's shock withdrawal, Simona Halep failing to start the tournament through injury and early losses for Bianca Andreescu and Angelique Kerber, none of the players who have beaten Williams in Grand Slam finals since her last title in the 2017 Australian Open are still in the competition.
