Serena: Sharapova 'probably a favorite' ahead of Paris clash
PARIS, France - For the 22nd time in their careers, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams will go head-to-head on Monday at the French Open -- and though she's won 19 meetings, the latter sees herself as an underdog.
"Quite frankly, she's probably a favorite in this match, for sure," Williams told reporters after a 6-3, 6-4 win over No.11 seed Julia Goerges in Saturday's third round.
"You know, she's been playing for over a year now. I just started, so I'm just really trying to get my bearings and trying to feel out where I am and see where I can go.
"I think this will be another test. I think this is just one of her best surfaces, and she always does really, really well here. This would be a good opportunity for me kind of to see where I am and just hopefully continue to go forward."
"It's been different. We are both on a comeback for two totally different reasons, and she's been on her journey for over a year and I just started mine a couple months ago," Williams added. "It's just something new and different."
The pair have met at a Grand Slam a total of eight times, but just once previously at the French Open - where Williams won 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the 2013 tournament.
Their last meeting was over two years ago, with another major trophy on the line as Serena vanquished Sharapova at the 2016 Australian Open, 6-4, 6-1.
The Russian is currently third amongst active players with five Grand Slam titles behind Serena and Venus Williams, and despite the daunting head-to-head against the 23-time champion, the No.28 seed says she looks forward to embracing another challenge.
Read more: Sharapova rolls past Pliskova at Roland Garros
"Any time you play against Serena you know what you're up against. You know the challenge that is upon you. You know, despite the record that I have against her, I always look forward to coming out on the court and competing against the best player," Sharapova said after her win over No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova
"It's been a while, and I think a lot has happened in our lives for the both of us in very different ways. To be able to put myself back in these positions and to not shy away from these moments, to come out on center court and want the challenge of moving forward and to be able to face Serena, I think that speaks for itself.
"That's what I continue to work for, of course. You don't put those hours on the back courts in Bradenton-fricking-Florida to -- you know what I mean -- to just show up at events like this and not bring it."
