After Kerber falls, Serena avoids same Wimbledon fate with 3-set win

On a day that saw defending Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber and French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova crash out in the second round, Serena Williams regrouped after a shaky first set to defeat 18-year-old qualifier Kaja Juvan, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, and avoid an early exit.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion came out sluggish in her second-round match-up Thursday, struggling to find a rhythm and quickly finding herself in a 3-0 deficit. A glimpse of the fiery Williams didn't appear until she served at 4-1 down, when she stepped into the court, hit her spots, and perhaps played her best point of the match. But the deficit was too great and Juvan was locked in; the Slovenian claimed the set by running down every ball and swinging freely.

Juvan, who fought her way through a trio of three-set matches in qualifying, had played considerably more tennis than Williams this year. The American entered the tournament having completed just two of the five event she's entered.

Although Williams lost the first set, her composure never wavered. Finding the corners on her serve and placing the ball in better spots, Williams raised her game to level the match at one-set all. She maintained her elevated quality of play, and although Juvan fought back to secure one of two breaks back, the deficit was too great. Williams punctuated victory with an ace to advance.

Williams, bidding to tie Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 major titles, will meet 18th seed Julia Goerges in a 2018 semifinal rematch.