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Game, Set, and Match Williams 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 as Williams moves into another French Open semifinal.
AD-40: Putintseva misses an overhead long to bring up a fourth match point for Williams.
40-40: Putintseva blasts a huge backhand winner to save a third match point.
40-30: Putintseva hits a beautiful return winner behind Williams.
40-15: Williams misses a drop shot into the net to waste one match point.
40-0: Putintseva misses a forehand long to bring up three match points for Williams.
30-0: Putintseva misses a drop shot into the net.
15-0: Putintseva misses a forehand into the net.
Putintseva gets on the board with a cheeky drop shot winner for 5-1. Williams will serve for a spot in the semifinals.
40-30: Wiliams arcs a beautiful forehand winner.
40-15: Williams misses a forehand return.
30-15: Putintseva hits a beautiful drop shot winner.
15-15: Williams pegs a forehand return back and Putintseva cannot return.
15-0: Williams misses a return way long.
Williams holds for 5-0 off of a misses Putintseva forehand to force Putintseva to serve to stay in the match.
AD-40: Putintseva misses a forehand return.
40-40: Williams hits a big body serve unreturned by Putintseva.
30-40: Putintseva tracks down a drop shot and hits a volley back at Williams which is unreturned.
30-30: Williams nets a forehand.
30-15: Williams smacks down an overhead and fist pumps.
15-15: Williams hits a big forehand approach winner.
0-15: Williams hits a double fault.
Williams gains a second break off of a netted forehand from Putintseva to put herself in good stead to make the last four.
40-AD: Williams hits an incredible on the run return winner.
40-40: Williams misses another return.
30-40: Williams misses a forehand return.
15-40: Putintseva hits a disappointing double fault to bring up two break points.
15-30: Williams hits a forehand winner.
15-15: Putintseva hits a forehand winner.
0-15: Williams hits a backhand winner.
Williams holds for 3-0 off of a beautiful drop shot winner. The American really pulling away from Putintseva at the moment.
40-15: Putintseva misses a tracked down drop shot return.
30-15: Putintseva hits a forehand winner.
30-0: Williams hits a forehand unreturned by Putintseva.
15-0: Putintseva misses an attempted passing shot.
Putintseva misses into the net again and Williams breaks for 2-0.
15-40: Putintseva misses into the net.
15-30: Williams blasts a forehand winner.
15-15: Williams misses a forehand return.
0-15: Williams hits a forehand return winner.
Williams holds with a backhand winner for 1-0.
40-15: Williams misses a forehand.
40-0: Williams hits a forehand winner.
30-0: Putintseva misses another return.
15-0: Putintseva misses a return.
Putintseva double faults and Williams is let off the hook as she takes the second set 6-4 to force a third. Extremely lucky break for Williams as Putintseva will have to compose herself if she hopes to take it in the third.
30-40: Putintseva hits a crafty drop shot winner to save set point in an enthralling 23-shot rally.
15-40: Putintseva misses a backhand and Williams has two set points.
15-30: Putintseva misses an easy approach shot.
15-15: Williams dumps an attempted drop shot into the net.
0-15: Williams hits a backhand approach shot winner.
Williams gets an extremely lucky break and holds to stay in it at 5-4. Putintseva will serve to stay in the set next.
AD-40: Williams hits an awkward drop shot winner.
40-40: Williams misses another easy, swing volley.
AD-40: Putintseva misses a return.
40-40: Putintseva misses a backhand wide.
40-AD: Williams misses an easy overhead wide to the shock of the crowd.
40-40: Putintseva misses a difficult passing shot.
30-40: Williams misses an easy volley wide.
30-30: Putintseva hits a huge backhand down the line winner.
30-15: Williams blasts a huge ace out wide.
15-15: Putintseva hits a forehand volley winner.
0-15: Williams nets a backhand.
Putintseva gains a huge hold for 4-4 and putting herself two games from a huge upset.
AD-40: Putintseva tracks down a drop volley for a passing shot winner.
40-40: Putintseva hits a forehand down the line winner.
30-40: Williams nets a forehand rally ball.
15-40: Williams misses a return long.
0-40: Williams hits another big winner.
0-30: Williams cracks a forehand winner.
0-15: Williams blasts a backhand return winner.
Williams double faults and gifts Putintseva the break back for 4-3 on serve.
40-AD: Williams nets a forehand and Putintseva has break point.
40-40: Williams hits a rally forehand long.
40-30: Putintseva misses a forehand long.
30-30: Putintseva blasts a forehand winner and unleashes a "C'mon!"
30-15: Putintseva hits a forehand winner.
30-0: Putintseva misses a return.
15-0: Williams hits a big forehand approach winner.
Putintseva hits a forehand winner and holds for 4-2 to keep the margin to one break.
40-30: Williams lob sails long.
30-30: Williams nets a backhand.
15-30: Williams hits a backhand winner.
15-15: Williams hits a forehand passing shot winner.
15-0: Williams hits a forehand wide.
Williams holds for 4-1 off of a lob hit long from Putintseva.
40-15: Putintseva misses a passing shot wide.
30-15: Williams cracks a backhand winner behind Putintseva.
15-15: Williams hits a backhand wide.
15-0: Putintseva hits a forehand long.
Putintseva hits a forehand long to give Williams the break for 3-1.
30-40: Putintseva hits a forehand winner.
15-40: Williams nets a backhand.
0-40: Williams draws Putintseva out wide and the Kazakh misses into the net.
0-30: Williams hits a drop shot and Putintseva cannot get to it.
0-15: Williams hits a big overhead winner.
Williams draws Putintseva to the net and hits a lob winner to hold for 2-1.
40-30: Putintseva misses a lob long.
30-30: Williams double faults.
30-15: Williams misses a lob long.
30-0: Putintseva misses a forehand wide.
15-0: Williams hits a crafty, volley winner.
Williams breaks back for 1-1 off of a big, overhead winner.
40-AD: Williams bullets a backhand return for a winner.
40-40: Putintseva hits a forehand wide, checked by the umpire and confirmed wide.
-0-30: Williams hits a big backhand unreturned by Putintseva.:
40-15: Putintseva draws Williams out wide and hits a forehand high and way wide.
30-15: Williams hits another backhand wide.
15-15: Williams dumps a return low into the net.
0-15: Williams bullets a backhand down the line return winner.
Putintseva takes the early break to go up 1-0 with Williams looking despondent and unresponsive.
0-40: Putintseva executes a brilliant drop shot for a winner.
0-30: Williams nets a backhand.
0-15: Williams nets a forehand.
Williams hits another backhand wide and Putintseva takes the opening set 7-5 to stun the Parisian crowd. Putintseva unleashes a big "Davai," and pumps up the crowd.
40-0: Williams dumps a backhand into the net to bring up three set points for Putintseva.
30-0: Williams nets a rally forehand.
15-0: Putintseva with another brilliant passing shot winner.
Putintseva breaks off of a backhand into the net from Williams and gives a huge fist pump to give herself the chance to serve for the opening set at 6-5.
40-AD: Putintseva hits a beautiful passing shot winner.
40-40: Williams misses a backhand long.
AD-40: Williams blasts an ace down the middle.
40-40: Putintseva hits a beautiful backhand down the line return winner.
40-30: Williams misses a big backhand cross-court wide.
40-15: Williams misses a rally backhand long.
40-0: Williams blasts a backhand cross-court winner.
30-0: Putintseva misses a forehand wide during a thrilling 24-shot rally.
15-0: Putintseva misses a return wide.
Putintseva holds to level at 5-all off of a love hold.
40-0: Williams misses a forehand into the net.
30-0: Williams nets a forehand after a trick slice from Putintseva.
15-0: Williams nets a return.
Williams holds to go up 5-4 off of a return long from Putintseva and forces her 21-year-old opponent to serve to stay in the set.
40-30: Williams cracks a big forehand winner and unleashes a trademark "C'mon!"
30-30: Putintseva draws Williams out wide and gets a netted backhand from the American.
30-15: Williams misses a forehand long.
30-0: Williams blasts her second ace out wide.
15-0: Williams hits a forehand winner.
Putintseva holds for 4-4 off of a backhand long from Williams.
40-15: Williams misses a backhand long and a "Davai," from Putintseva.
30-15: Williams hits a backhand long.
15-15: Williams shows incredible reflexes to drop a volley back.
15-0: Williams misses a return wide.
Williams holds off of an unreturned serve to go up 4-3 on serve.
40-0: Putintseva misses a high forehand wide.
30-0: Williams hits a forehand winner.
15-0: Putintseva misses a forehand wide.
Putintseva misses another drop shot attempt to give the break away and level the match at 3-3
15-40: Williams tracks down a drop shot from Putintseva and the Kazakh nets a passing shot.
15-30: Williams misses a drop shot into the net.
0-30: Williams draws Putintseva out wide and the Kazakh misses a backhand wide.
0-15: Putintseva misses a drop shot into the net.
Williams holds to love off of a Putintseva return wide to hold for 3-2 down an early break to the Kazakh.
40-0: Williams blasts some big backhands eventually wearing down Putintseva for an unreturned shot.
30-0: Putintseva misses a forehand return long.
15-0: Williams hits a backhand winner.
Putintseva holds off of a forehand wide from Williams to consolidate the break for 3-1.
40-0: Williams tracks down a drop shot and misses into the net.
30-0: Williams backhand hits the net cord and falls onto her own side.
15-0: Williams hits a backhand wide.
Putintseva breaks for 2-1 off of a high forehand winner to take an early lead on the defending champion.
30-40: Williams tracks down a drop shot from Putintseva and slices it back for a winner.
15-40: Williams hits a backhand long.
The players have returned to court and are resuming play.
The covers have not been placed on Court Philippe Chatrier at the moment as play continues on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Play is suspended as players are leaving the court to go to the locker rooms.
Light rain causing play to be suspended, but the players will sit in their chairs for now.
15-30: Williams nets a rally backhand.
15-15: Williams double faults.
15-0: Williams cracks a big forehand winner during a beautiful, long rally.
Putintseva holds off of a netted backhand from Williams for 1-1.
AD-40: Putintseva hits a beautiful forehand passing shot winner.
40-40: Putintseva misses a forehand long in a long rally.
40-30: Williams nets a backhand.
30-30: Williams nets a forehand.
15-30: Williams hits a forehand wide.
0-30: Williams blasts a second serve return down the line.
0-15: Putintseva hits a forehand into the net.
Williams holds to begin the match with a big ace out wide for a 1-0 lead.
40-15: Williams misses a high forehand into the net.
40-0: Putintseva hits a return wide.
30-0: Williams hits a big forehand unreturned by Putintseva.
15-0: Putintseva hits a forehand return long.
Serena Williams won the toss and elected to serve.
Serena Williams and Yulia Putintseva walk onto Court Philippe Chatrier.
With both Williams and Putintseva having yet to drop a set this tournament, this match is bound to showcase some superb tennis. Now that Williams has seen the crafty game of Putintseva twice, the Amercian should know what she will be facing, especially given that they have played on clay before as well, though the clay of Madrid is extremely different to the much slower clay of Paris. If Putintseva hopes to have a chance against the defending champion she will need to claim the first set unlike in their previous two encounters, using her drop shots and variation well to keep Williams on her toes. For Williams, she will need to use her big serve and groundstrokes to push Putintseva around. Expect the world number one to move into another French Open semifinal in two tight sets.
Unlike Williams, Putintseva began her clay-court season early, opting to play on the faster green clay of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston. The Kazakh enjoyed success in her first clay-court tournament of the year, making the quarterfinals before falling to Italian clay-court specialist Sara Errani. The world number 60 kept up her fine form on the dirt, making another quarterfinal in Rabat before losing to Kiki Bertens. Most recently, Putintseva fell in the second round in Nurnberg to home German player Julia Goerges.
After a disappointing beginning of 2016 for the three-time French Open champion, Williams looked to regain some form on clay after runner-up showings in Melbourne and Indian Wells. Williams had to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open with the flu, meaning Rome would be her only French Open lead-up event. The defending Roland Garros champion looked back to her best in Rome, not dropping a set on her way to a fourth Internazionali BNL d'Italia crown, setting herself in good stead to claim a 22nd Grand Slam title here in Paris.
Williams and Putintseva first met on the fast red clay of Madrid back in 2013 with Putintseva just 18 years old at the time. In one of the biggest matches of her career to that point, Putintseva played extremely well in the opening set, pushing Williams to a tiebreak, before the 21-time major champion steamrolled from there on her way to a 7-6(5), 6-1 win. Most recently just a few months back, Williams and Putintseva met again, this time on the slow hard courts of Indian Wells. In a scoreline extremely similar to their first meeting in Madrid, the Kazakh came out firing early on, using her variation beautifully to give herself the chance to serve for the opening set twice, with Williams breaking back each time. In a first set tiebreak, the American dominated Putintseva, taking it with the loss of just two points before bagelling the world number 60 in the second to win 7-6(2), 6-0 in a scoreline extremely reminiscent of their meeting in Madrid three years prior.
While Williams' run to the last eight has been fairly routine, Putintseva, much like Williams, is yet to drop a set in Paris and has arguably been even more dominant than the world number one. The Kazakh began her 2016 Roland Garros campaign with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak. In the second round, the 21-year-old easily dismissed German 28th seed and 2014 semifinalist Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-2 to move into the third round. The world number 60 kept up her dominant form, crushing Victoria Azarenka's conqueror Karin Knapp 6-1, 6-1 to reach a career-best Grand Slam result and a first ever second week at a major. Most recently, Putintseva battled past veteran Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 7-5 , 7-5 to reach a first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Williams began her tournament with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win in the opening round over slightly-injured Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova. The world number one kept up her dominant form, easing past Brazil's Teliana Pereira 6-2, 6-1 to reach the third round. In her most difficult match of the tournament, the three-time Roland Garros winner had to dig deep to stop home hope Kristina Mladenovic. Williams had to fight through some incredible hitting and variation from the Frenchwomen to move on 6-4, 7-6 in a match filled with drama and stunning shots from both players. After two days of torrential rain, Williams was finally able to get back on court, crushing Ukranian Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-1 to move into her tenth quarterfinal appearance in Paris.
Welcome to live coverage of the French Open quarterfinal! My name is Thomas Cluck, and I am happy to be bringing you point-by-point coverage of the French Open quarterfinal between Serena Williams and Yulia Putintseva here on VAVEL USA. From now until the match begins at 9:00 am ET, news and notes will be above to get you up to speed. Be sure to return at match time for point-by-point updates!