Serena, Osaka exits open Paris boulevard for Halep

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 1, 2019. Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts during her third round match against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - Simona Halep's path to a second successive French Open title cleared up in spectacular fashion on Saturday after 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and world number one Naomi Osaka exited Roland Garros in the third round on Saturday.

Williams failed to recover from a woeful start against fellow American Sofia Kenin as the 20-year-old motored into the last 16 with a 6-2 7-5 win, putting the former world number one's quest for a record-equalling 24th singles major on hold.