Serena Williams faces Kirsten Flipkens on Thursday in the third round of the 2013 Rogers Cup. The match is slated for 2:30 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
After a first-round bye, Williams stepped onto Rexall Centre court on Thursday to face Francesca Schiavone. Williams needed only two sets to defeat the Italian (6-3, 6-2). World No. 1 Williams is now 52-3 on the year with seven titles, including the French Open title, to her name.
"I felt good. I felt solid," Williams told the Associated Press (via ESPN) of her win over Schiavone. "I obviously made a few errors but it's just my first match on hard (court) in a really long time. I also played a really good player, so it was a good match."
Williams meets Flipkens, who's played well this season. The World No. 13 has won 39 matches this season, TennisEarth.com reports, and reached the Wimbledon semifinals last month. She defeated Serena's sister, Venus, in the first round of the Rogers Cup (0-6, 6-4, 6-2) and then Kiki Bertens in the following round (7-5, 3-6, 6-2).
Flipkens biggest challenge on Friday will be returning Serena's powerful serves. Serena has won an incredible 84 percent of her serves, where as Flipkens has converted only 34 percent on return of serves.
The two have never faced each other in the past, but Williams is heavy favorite to win.
Earlier on Friday, Sloane Stephens fell to Agnieszka Radwanska in the third round (1-6, 6-7), and Sara Errani fell Alize Cornet (7-5, 7-6). Marion Bartoli faces Magdalena Rybarikova and Ana Ivanovic challenges Na Li on Friday afternoon.
