Americans in Paris: Serena Williams, Keys, Stephens advance

PARIS – It was a mixed day for American players at the French Open. Serena Williams, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Irina Falconi and Jack Sock all advanced, but top men's hope John Isner, the No. 16 seed, was upset by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

"I really don't feel like I played that poorly today. It was a tough match," said Isner, who lost to Chardy 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. "I thought my opponent played very well. So sometimes it happens."

The disappointment was apparent for Isner, who had a healthy lead-up into Paris, including quarterfinal and semifinal performances. But his exit means Sock and Steve Johnson are the only American men to make the third round. They'll face Borna Coric and Stan Wawrinka respectively.

"I wish I was still here," added a disappointed Isner. "It's one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Going out early sucks."

There was no going out early for Williams, champion here in 2002 and 2013, though she did play with that prospect. Serena came back from a set down to beat world No. 105 Anna-Lena Friedsam 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

"A win is a win, and as long as you live to survive the next day, you can always improve," said Williams, referencing a quote from older sister Venus. "I know my level is literally a hundred times better than I played today, so I think I take more solace in the fact I can play better as opposed to the fact that that's the best I could play. Then I would be in trouble."

It was good enough for Williams to advance to the third round, where a familiar foe awaits: Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. They have met in two Grand Slam finals, with Williams winning at the U.S. Open in 2012 and 2013.

"It's not too much surprises there," Azarenka said of the match-up with Williams, which the American leads 15-3. "I think for both of us, (we've) played each other so many times, and always have tough matches. I just want to try to focus on my game, on my energy, and try to play the best as possible."

It was a one-two punch from up-and-coming American women on Court 7: Keys rolling by Belinda Bencic before Stephens took to the court to beat Heather Watson. Stephens could be Serena Williams' fourth-round opponent should they both make it that far. Neither Keys nor Stephens dropped a set – unlike Serena – against two quality opponents.

"I thought I came out and was aggressive and tried to play the best I could," said Stephens, who next meets Tsvetana Pironkova. "Obviously executed really well my shots and I stayed pretty consistent throughout, so that was good."

Falconi is the surprise third-rounder of the group, the world No. 85 defeating Sesil Karatantcheva in three sets. She gets Julia Goerges next, the German having upset Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 5 seed.

A Sloane-Serena fourth round would be a rematch of their infamous 2013 Australian Open semifinal, won by the younger Stephens. But they've played three times since, Williams winning each one, including two in 2015.

Sock, who reached the third round here last year, used his big serve and booming forehand to race ahead of Pablo Carreno Busta, the Spaniard. The Kansas native won 6-7(2), 7-6(4), 6-1, 7-6(4) in the last match of the day played on Court 3.

Sock could – should he beat fellow youngster Coric – get a crack at Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, the ultimate test on clay.

Johnson is the lone American scheduled to play Friday. The world No. 56 is the third match up on Court 1 vs. Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open winner and No. 8 seed.