French Open: Serena Williams into last 16

The world No 1’s 6-0 6-2 victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea made it 27 straight wins and 70 from 73 since her first-round defeat at Roland Garros last year.

Williams said: “I actually don’t think about it, and after every match I’m reminded. And, ironically enough, I forget about it as soon as it’s done.

“I don’t think it’s about a winning streak. I think it’s about winning important matches and winning the right matches at the right time.”

Williams has looked extremely focused during this tournament and has lost only six games in six sets so far.

One of the most dominant periods of her career has come since Williams began working with French coach Patrick Mouratoglou last year.

Maria Sharapova is a round behind but wasted little time yesterday finishing off Eugenie Bouchard.

The defending champion drew the short straw weather-wise on Thursday, not starting her match until late because of the poor weather and then being unable to finish, with the Russian only two games from victory.

Canadian Bouchard is one of the game’s up-and-coming talents and won Junior Wimbledon last year.

The 19-year-old was not afraid to take on her illustrious opponent and should have levelled yesterday at 5-5 but missed a golden opportunity for a forehand winner and that was that as Sharapova wrapped up a 6-2 6-4 victory.

The Russian will play her third-round match tomorrow against China’s Zheng Jie, who has had an extra day to prepare having beaten Melanie Oudin first up on Thursday.

Marion Bartoli did not even make it onto court on Thursday, and the Frenchwoman was given another tough match by Colombian qualifier Mariana Duque-Marino.

The 13th seed saved two match points in a first-round win over Olga Govortsova four days ago and had to fight back from 5-2 down in the first set yesterday to win 7-6 (7/5) 7-5.

Twelfth seed Maria Kirilenko also made it to the third round along with former champion Francesca Schiavone, who knocked out 21st seed Kirsten Flipkens. Last year’s runner-up, fifth seed Sara Errani, looked impressive as she continued her progress with a 6-0 6-4 victory over German Sabine Lisicki.