Serena Williams Battling Flu, but Aims to Play in French Open Final

World number one Serena Williams said Friday that she has been laid low with the flu, but still hopes to be able to take her place in Saturday's French Open final against Lucie Safarova.

The top seed and 19-time Grand Slam winner was in distress in Thursday's semi-finals before she staggered past the challenge of Timea Bacsinszky in three sets.

She then cancelled her pre-French Open final practice session on Friday as well as her media conference to give her more time to recover.

"I think I have some kind of flu which makes it tough, because it's just a matter or resting and keeping hydrated -- there is not much else I can do," she said.

"I've felt really cold so I'm just fighting that, trying to sweat it out. A doctor is coming to see me here at home ... and we'll see if he can do anything else to help, but I don't think there's anything.

"It's just time and obviously I don't have a lot of it but it helps that I can be at my apartment and have my family and friends with me."

The 33-year-old American will be chasing a third title in Paris and 20th Grand Slam career crown.

"I just have to hope that tomorrow I will be feeling a lot better and be able to give my best on court," she said.