Williams sisters survive fourth round matches; Dementieva ousted in straight sets on Day 6 in Miami

After their fourth round wins, the Williams sisters are just one win away from their semifinal clash, as they both won their matches in three tough sets.

No. 5 seed Venus was first to advance, as she faced No. 10 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, and won 46 61 64.

"Every now and then everybody has those kinds of matches. I was hitting really well in practice. I came out and things weren't going to the way I imagined they would, but that's tennis," a relieved Venus said. "She's a fighter. She had some chances to tie it at 5-5. She plays smart and takes advantage of every point."

Venus will next face No. 26 seed Iveta Benesova, who ousted No. 19 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, 64 61.

Top seed Serena fought No. 17 seed Jie Zheng, and won after losing the second set, 75 57 63.

"I felt like if I didn't straighten up I was going to lose," Serena said. "At that point, I was ready to get the match over. I knew I didn't want to lose, and I knew I had to do what I needed to do to at least play a little better."

Li Na, who won to Ekaterina Makarova 67(3) 62 62, is up next for Serena.

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva was crushed by No. 13 seed Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets, 75 64.

No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova had a better day than her fellow Russian, as she won her match to No. 24 seed Alisa Kleybanova, 62 61.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Singles - Fourth Round

[1] S Williams (USA) d [17] J Zheng (CHN) 75 57 63

[13] C Wozniacki (DEN) d [4] E Dementieva (RUS) 75 64

[5] V Williams (USA) d [10] A Radwanska (POL) 46 61 64

[8] S Kuznetsova (RUS) d [24] A Kleybanova (RUS) 62 61

[11] V Azarenka (BLR) d [25] A Szavay (HUN) 62 64

[26] I Benesova (CZE) d [19] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) 64 61

S Stosur (AUS) d [20] A Mauresmo (FRA) 64 64

N Li (CHN) d E Makarova (RUS) 67(3) 62 62