A blockbuster match-up worthy of a semi-final or final spot at any Premier event is set to grace the third round of the French Open on Saturday, as world No. 1 Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka get set to cross paths once again in prestigious competition Williams leads the head-to-head series 15-3, including recent wins at the start of the season in Brisbane and even more recently at Madrid.

In a match that was far more competitive than it ever should have been, Serena William struggled to put an end to her match against Anna-Lena Friedsam on Thursday afternoon. She lost a tight first set that lasted 44 minutes but managed to rally back to secure the win in the end. The encounter lasted a total of two hours and ended with a scoreline 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

In a far simpler encounter on Thursday, Azarenka reached the third round of the French Open when she defeated Lucie Hradecka in straight sets. She hit 19 winners and converted six break points to secure the 6-2, 6-3 victory,

Williams leads Azarenka in their head-to-head series, 15-3, including the most recent victories at the Madrid Open several weeks ago and at the start of the season in Brisbane. However, the pair split four meetings last year, Azarenka winning at Doha and Cincinnati and Williams at Rome and the US Open, making this a fantastic, compelling rivalry and a thrilling third round encounter. Azarenka is gradually returning to her 2012-13 form but she will have her work cut out for her to topple the top seed and dominant world No. 1 player.