French Open Sidelights: Serena did not do it on purpose...

 ‘Whether this be theatrical or not, it's part of the game. The rules are clear’

Serena Williams's health and gamesmanship were the subjects on everyone's lips at the French Open after the ailing World No 1 beat Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Sorry I am sick, says Serena but squeezes into final

Williams prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, recovering from a set and a break down despite looking unwell throughout, wrapping iced towels around her neck and ending the post-match on-court interview because of a coughing fit.

Walking back to her chair at snail's pace at every change of ends and looking subdued, the 2002 and 2013 Roland Garros champion did not appear to be in good shape but her Swiss opponent had no issues.

"Sometimes I know that she was taking a bit more time, but I never really thought she was doing it on purpose to destabilise me," Bacsinszky said.

"Why would she do this? I didn't really have the feeling she was doing it to try and destabilise me, something mean, no."

Williams skipped the post-match news conference, issuing a statement to explain she had been ‘unwell for a few days’, although that did not show in her 6-1, 6-3 demolition of Italian Sara Errani in the quarter-finals.

Bacsinszky, 25, was not unsettled by what was happening on the other side of the court.

"Whether this be theatrical or not, it's part of the game. The rules are clear. The one who wins is the one who wins the very last point," the 23rd seed said.

"We have umpires and referees to appraise these things, to evaluate if there are things that are not really fair play."