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Serena Williams may end up winning Wimbledon, but if Friday was any indication, it won't be easy. The world No. 1 was pushed to the limit by unseeded American Christina McHale in a second-round match that had fans on edge. Williams struggled with McHale, but prevailed 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-4.

McHale, a 24-year-old from New Jersey, was ranked No. 66 in the world heading into Wimbledon. She has previously been ranked as high as No. 24.

After winning the first two games of the third set, it appeared McHale was poised to spring the upset, but Williams stormed back to take the next two games and, seemingly, control of the match.

That wasn't the case, as they went back and forth until Williams broke for a 5-4 lead. She then served to close out the match.

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Serena Williams was pushed to the limit but survived in the second round at Wimbledon. Getty Images

Williams got off to a slow start, dropping the first two games of the first set. She battled back to force a tiebreaker, but lost 9-7 to fall behind in the match.

She appeared to regain her form in a dominant second set, which she won 6-2. But McHale refused to lie down as the thrilling match continued.

Williams is seeking to tie Steffi Graf's Open era record by winning her 22nd career major event. She lost in the finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open before her Wimbledon exit on Friday.

It wasn't a good day for the Williams family, as Venus Williams also struggled in her third round match against Daria Kasatkina. Williams was tested but ultimately pulled out the 7-5, 4-6, 10-8 victory. Venus had lost to Kasatkina in their only previous meeting, earlier this year.