Williams sisters ease through to second week in Flushing Meadows on Day 5

Sisters Venus and Serena Williams easily made it through to the second week of the U.S Open after winning their matches in straight sets, while No. 8 seed Victoria Azarenka was downed by No. 26 seed Francesca Schiavone in three sets.

Second seeded Serena suffered having been broken twice in the second set by her opponent Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, but was still able to get the win, with a score of 63 75.

"She was serving really well, especially in the second set. I just kept fighting and every time I had a break point I felt I had a chance to win it," Williams said. "Her style is definitely different. You don't see it that much anymore. I think doubles can definitely help that, because you get to see people at the net. If I hadn't been in the doubles it might have been a much different match that what it already was."

No. 3 seed Venus kicked off the night session, easily ousting Magdalena Rybarikova with a score of 62 75.

Azarenka was in bad form throughout her match, as the Belarus made a double fault on match point then smashed her racquet to the ground, after her Italian opponent won with a score of 46 62 62.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Singles - Third Round

(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 63 75

(3) Venus Williams (USA) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 62 75

(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (31) Elena Vesnina (RUS) 62 64

(26) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 46 62 62

(10) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 61 61

(18) Li Na (CHN) d. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 64 62

(22) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. [WC] Vania King (USA) 62 62