By Erik Gudris | Monday, August 8, 2016

If there’s one player that has tested the nerve of World No. 1 Serena Williams, it has to be Alize Cornet of France. So when both women faced off against each other in the second round of the Summer Games in Rio, a lot of drama was expected.

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In the end, though, it was the top seed who finally figured out a way to beat Cornet for the first time in two years to reach the third round. Williams admitted later she had to forget about those past results.

“Just not letting the elements get into my head. I haven't played great against Alize in the past. I knew that today so I really wanted to try and get a win,” Williams said to NBC just after the match.

Cornet entered the match having won her last three meetings against Williams all in 2014. One included a memorable surprise win at Wimbledon that year. Williams, having endured her first ever Olympic loss in doubles with her sister Venus Williams, looked to be in no mood for any theatrics early in the first set.

With a forehand winner, the World No. 1 broke Cornet’s serve to start the set. Cornet later double faulted down another break point to hand Williams a quick 3-0 lead.

Yet Williams’ lead evaporated as Cornet started mixing up her pace and using the slow court speed to her advantage.

The fifth game saw both players get agitated at themselves and the conditions. Williams started getting frustrated at so many of her shots being called just out. Though Williams held several break points, she couldn’t figure out a way to win the game. Cornet kept getting balls back that would have been winners from Williams on a faster court. Finally, Williams netted a forehand to end the long game.

Though she was still ahead 3-2, Williams cracked her racquet in frustration on the sidelines.

Williams’ woes only started though as she couldn’t find her big serve when she needed it on key points. Cornet then started playing with more aggression. The Frenchwoman struck a backhand return winner to later level things at 4-all.

Cornet then took the lead for 5-4 forcing Williams to serve to stay in the set. Williams, struggling to hit winners, soon fell behind 15-40 on her serve. Williams managed to save both set points against her, one with a big swinging backhand winner. Williams got out of trouble soon enough for 5-all.

The set ended up in a tiebreak that proved almost more tense than the proceeding games. Each player hit winners and errors before it was Williams who produced a rare service winner late in the tiebreak. A smash winner from Williams soon earned her a set point.

Williams converted for 7-6(5) when Cornet dumped a forehand into the net.Looking more relaxed in the second set, Williams once again went up an early break on Cornet.

Now hitting with better angles and with more power, Williams soon took control of the set with yet another 3-0 lead.

Cornet, known for often getting animated on court in her matches, didn’t show any of that emotion tonight. Williams herself showed more calm as she began returning Cornet’s short second serves much better, often for outright winners. As Williams's level rose, it didn't allow Cornet any opportunities to make the match about her. 

Cornet wouldn't go away though even after Williams built a 5-1 lead and soon served for the match. Williams threw in a poor game to get broken but it didn’t stop the inevitable outcome.

Williams earned her first two match points on Cornet’s serve in the next game. Cornet saved both to go to deuce but hit a double fault to bring up a third match point. When Cornet struck a forehand wide, a relieved Williams celebrated the 7-6(5) 6-2 win.

Williams now enters the third round where she will face Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

“It will be fun for me. Elina is such a great person,” Williams said about her next opponent. “She’s really young and she does really well. And we’ve had some tough matches too. Honestly I hope I win win but she’s such a great girl so I’m always rooting for her.”