Venus Williams’ stellar show without sister Serena’s presence
PARIS: With superstar sister Serena away pregnant, it was left to 36-year-old Venus to carry the standard for the Williams family at Roland Garros on Wednesday, with a secondround thumping of Japan’s Kurumi Nara.
Seeded 10th, Williams ground her Japanese opponent into the red Parisian dust in a contest that at times almost veered into missmatch territory before ending 6-3 6-1. Williams never appeared extended on the Philippe Chatrier court, but she nevertheless delivered a display of exquisite shot-making to a crowd denied a real contest. “You know, it’s always a joy when you can control the match,” she smiled afterwards. The win makes her the oldest woman to reach the third round at the French Open since Billie-Jean King in 1982.
MUGURUZA RALLIES
Reigning champion Garbine Muguruza rallied from a set down to beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit to reach the third round. After dropping the opening set, Muguruza found herself in deep trouble at 3-1 down in the second but recovered to secure a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Petra Kvitova’s comeback was cut short after a straightsets defeat to Bethanie MattekSands. The 15th seed, returning this week from a five-month break after she was stabbed in her playing hand by a burglar in December, littered the court with 25 unforced errors as she lost 7-6, 7-6.