Top seed Serena Williams overcame illness and a bad second set to defeat Russian hopeful Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 in the third round of the French Open on Saturday.

The American Williams controlled the first set, but rendered the dominance to the 18-year-old Pavlyuchenkova in the following set. The 12-time Grand Slam champion asked doctor to check her condition after 5-0 down and took some pills.

"I just ran out of a little energy out there. Just fighting a cold and fighting sickness,"said Williams. "But, you know, I'm just feeling better and getting ready for doubles."

Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during the women's singles third round match at the French Open tennis championship in Paris, France, on May 29, 2010. Williams won 2-1.

Serena is slated to pair up her elder sister Venus to compete doubles later on Saturday, but is lucky enough to enjoy a qualification for the third round as opponents Daniela Hantuchova from Slovakia and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark walked over.

In the women's singles fourth round, Serena Williams will meet the 18th seed Shahar Peer as the Israeli beat French 13th seed Marion Bartoli 7-6(7), 6-2.

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