It was a busy day all-around for two-time champion Venus Williams but a routine one at the office as she powered past Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-4 to reach the US Open third round in New York City.
Amidst the chaos and attention of younger sister and 22-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams giving birth, it was a mostly clean and quick day at the office for older sister and US Open ninth seed Venus Williams. Venus, a seven-time major champion herself, made comfortable work of unseeded Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-4 in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium Labor Day weekend crowd.
With sister Serena giving birth to her first child, a healthy baby girl only a few hours before her third round match, Venus came out focused and looking for an easy straight sets win, something that has alluded her thus far at this year’s tournament as she tried to move into her third straight second week in Flushing Meadows.
Despite the birth of Serena’s first child only a couple hours earlier, Venus was able to stay pretty focused throughout. “You know, I’m a real professional, because I have been doing this for a long time, so when the first ball starts, it’s a ton of excitement out there. So, you know, this is the US Open.”
In the opening set, it was an evenly-matched affair early on as Sakkari successfully fended off powerful shot after shot from Williams to draw to 3-2 on serve. Looking to level the set at three games apiece, it was a nightmare service game for the 22-year-old, as two double faults and two poor forehand errors cost her mightily, gifting the break to love to Williams. From there on the 37-year-old and two-time US Open champion refused to look back, riding that break of serve to take a fairly routine first set 6-3.
The second set was almost a carbon copy of the first as some good fight and defense from the Athens native and world number 95 kept her on even terms with Williams through the first six games of the set. After back to back breaks of serve the previous two games, the American ninth seed began to punish Sakkari’s lack of depth on her shots, forcing multiple errors off the ground to snag the break back for 4-3.
Just like in the opener, seven-time major champion Williams would not relinquish that lead, going on to lose only one more point on serve the entire match, serving it out to close out a fairly straightforward 6-3, 6-4 win for Williams to book her spot in the second week in the Big Apple.
Venus has now made at least the second week at all four Grand Slams this year and six majors in a row. When asked about her incredible year and results at the slams, Williams said, “Yeah. I mean, my best tennis this year has come at the majors. I don’t play nearly as much as some of my contemporaries, but this year when I have played, it’s definitely been quality tennis. That’s exactly what I want, and obviously to play my best tennis at the Big 4.”
Despite probably not playing her best tennis so far this tournament, the ninth seed and home favorite was optimistc about her chances going into week two. Asked about how she’s improved so far through each match at this year’s tournament, the two-time former champion said, “I mean, obviously the last two rounds, straight sets, that’s awesome. And a win is a win. Whatever happens in the win gives you the opportunity to play the next day. Or, you know, God willing, you’re in the last round, you get to win. You win tournament. That’s the main focus is to cross the finish line.”
Williams will next play unseeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro on Sunday for a spot in the quarterfinals. When asked about her upcoming fourth round match, the American said, “Yeah, honestly I don’t remember the last time we played. Maybe not so recently. Yeah, we have played. I’ve seen her play. She’s seen me play.”
“It’s not going to be, Oh, my gosh, I need to figure this person’s game out. So I know that I have to obviously play a little better than her and see what’s working and go for that,” said the seven-time major winner.
