Serena Williams Moves Into French Open Final

PARIS (AP) -- At changeovers in her French Open semifinal, an ill Serena Williams walked ever so slowly to the sideline, where even lowering herself to sit seemed difficult.

With the temperature nearing 85 degrees (30 Celsius), she pressed white towels filled with ice against her forehead and neck and guzzled water.

Early on, her play was as poor as her health. She failed to chase balls she normally would. As telling as anything: On those occasions when she did win points, Williams mostly refrained from her familiar fist pumps and yells of ''Come on!''

Never can count her out, though, no matter the circumstances. Down a set and a break Thursday, and clearly not herself, Williams summoned the resolve to reach the final by beating 23rd-seeded Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

After getting broken to fall behind 3-2 in the second set, Williams claimed the final 10 games. She had a 12-2 edge in winners in the final set.

''Stunning,'' said Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. ''This is the difference between champions and everyone else. There is no logical explanation.''

Williams skipped her news conference - something sister Venus did after losing last week, drawing a $3,000 fine - and issued a statement reading: ''I have been feeling unwell for a few days, and ... I needed to see the tournament doctor.''

Now one victory from her third French Open championship and 20th major title in all, Williams faces 13th-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic on Saturday.