Williams sisters advance to third round in Paris Venus, Serena gain 3rd round

PARIS -- With favorites falling all around, Serena Williams talkedherself out of a loss. Her sister Venus spoke French more fluidlythan she played.

Ever the perfectionists, the siblings weren't too pleased with howthings went Thursday at the French Open. Still, both managed to moveinto the third round -- something neither the defending champions norany American man can boast.

With shadows creeping across the court, and a determined opponentmatching her shot for shot, Serena came back twice from substantialdeficits to pull out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over 17-year-old RussianMaria Kirilenko.

As surprising as it would have been for a six-time Grand …

Williams sisters advance to third round in Paris Venus, Serena gain 3rd round

PARIS -- With favorites falling all around, Serena Williams talkedherself out of a loss. Her sister Venus spoke French more fluidlythan she played.

Ever the perfectionists, the siblings weren't too pleased with howthings went Thursday at the French Open. Still, both managed to moveinto the third round -- something neither the defending champions norany American man can boast.

With shadows creeping across the court, and a determined opponentmatching her shot for shot, Serena came back twice from substantialdeficits to pull out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over 17-year-old RussianMaria Kirilenko.

As surprising as it would have been for a six-time Grand …