Williams survives tough battle against Mirza; Schnyder ousted in three sets

No. 2 seed Venus Williams came back from losing the second set and eventually won the third to overcome a tough battle against Sania Mirza in her first match at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Williams, who was a champion here five years ago, easily won the first set, but had a difficult time in the second, as she was leading 3-1, and won the third set easily to win her first round match. The final score was 61 36 62.

"It's always fun out there. These kinds of matches are good to pull out. It was a great opening round, and now I'm ready for the next one," Williams said. "Sania has a lot of talent and a lot of power, and she uses it to her advantage. She was going for it and had nothing to lose. But I've been in these situations before."

The American will now face No. 16 seed Sabine Lisicki, who won to qualifier Lenka Wienerova 64 63.

No. 5 seed Caroline Wozniacki had an easier time against Alla Kudryavtseva, as she won 63 63.

No. 8 seed Patty Schnyder's fate was decided in her debut match against Elena Vesnina, as she lost in a tough match with a score of 62 67(5) 75.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(2) Venus Williams (USA) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 61 36 62

(5) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 63 63

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. (8) Patty Schnyder (SUI) 62 67(5) 75

(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (9) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 75 60

(10) Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 75 26 75

Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) d. (11) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 64 75

Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) d. (12) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 62 64

(13) Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Stйphanie Dubois (CAN) 63 76(3)

(16) Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (Q) Lenka Wienerova (SVK) 64 63

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Vania King (USA) 64 62

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (Q) Shenay Perry (USA) 62 63