'I want to make my daughter proud of me,' says Serena

Serena Williams said she wants to make her daughter proud after fighting back to reach the French Open third round.

The 36-year-old American came from a set and break down to defeat Australia's Ashleigh Barty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The three-time champion and former world number one, dressed again in her all-black catsuit, is playing her first Slam since winning the 2017 Australian Open while two months pregnant.

However, her stay in Paris almost proved short-lived until she summoned the same fighting spirit which helped her conquer life-threatening blood clots after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September.

"It's just incredible," said Williams.

"I am so happy to be back here. I lost the first set and thought I must try harder, I must try harder -- and then Serena came out.

"I will be back tomorrow to play doubles with Venus. I don't mind playing singles and doubles -- I will fight my heart out."
"However, my outfit is actually functional for me, because I had a lot of health issues."