French Open 2015 scores: Serena Williams avoids upset with comeback win over Sloane Stephens

Serena Williams needed a comeback to defeat Sloane Stephens, but the women’s No. 1 seed survived a slow start to earn a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory Monday at the French Open.

The match started with a break for Stephens, followed by two more breaks later in the set that concluded with a 6-1 dusting of Williams to set the tone early. Stephens was the offensive aggressor for much of the match, but Williams overcame with her blend of unrivaled power and athleticism to storm back.

Stephens kept the momentum rolling in the second set by winning her first three serves to snag a 3-2 lead, however, Williams finally earned a break of her own to take a 4-3 lead in the set. Stephens quickly atoned for the break with a break of her own on the very next game, but one more break for Williams eventually led to a 7-5 win that forced a third game.

Williams held serve throughout the third set and pulled away for a 6-3 victory in the third and final set to seal a trip to the quarterfinals. It was the second match in a row that Williams came from behind to win. In the third round, she dropped the first set to Victoria Azarenka before taking the match in three sets.

A victory over Williams wouldn’t have been a first for Stephens, who defeated her American counterpart at the Australian Open in 2013 in three sets. The other four head-to-head matches between the two were won by Williams, though, including two previous victories for Williams over Stephens earlier in 2015.

Stephens, 22, started her tournament by defeating Venus Williams in the first round is straight sets followed by two more straight-set victories. It is the fourth consecutive elimination in the fourth round of the French Open for Stephens, who doesn’t yet have a Grand Slam victory in her career, but advanced to the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open.

Williams avoided becoming the second victim of a huge upset in the women’s singles draw on Monday, after No. 2 Maria Sharapova lost earlier in the day to Lucie Safarova. Williams will now advance to face No. 17 Sara Errani, who defeated Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-2 on Monday. For full results from Monday at the French Open, we’ve got you covered here.