Thursday, 02 September 2010 16:09
Venus and Clijsters safely through to third round
Defending champion Kim Clijsters and 3rd seed Venus Williams both advanced to the third round of the 2010 US Open tennis championships yesterday in straight sets.
Belgian Clijsters was on court for just 56 minutes in a demolition of Sally Peers of Australia 6-2 6-1.
30-year-old Venus Williams was given a tougher test by Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino who managed to push the former champion to a first-set tiebreak.
"Seemed like every time I had an opening, she would hit a big serve," Williams said of the first set. "So I guess I know what it’s like now playing myself. I was very impressed. She’s got a good future ahead of her."
Venus won the first set by 7 points to 3 in the breaker and from then on, eased into her game and came through 7-6(4) 6-3 to advance to the third round.
Elsewhere in the women's draw, 13th seed Marion Bartoli found compatriot Virginie Razzano in fine form, with Bartoli losing in straight sets. Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic also advanced at the expense of Chinese 21st seed Jheng Jie.
