Venus gets ready for early challenge
NEW YORK — Venus Williams did her part, then waited to see if Serena would win to set up an earlier-than-usual Grand Slam matchup between the Williams sisters at the U.S. Open.
Venus beat Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-5 on Wednesday a couple of hours before Serena was scheduled for a night match against Carina Witthoeft. A victory then would have the Williams sisters meeting in the third round, earlier than they have face each other in a Grand Slam in 20 years.
They played in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open in their first meeting on tour.
“Obviously, it’s early in the tournament, so both of us are going to be looking forward to continuing to play better,” Venus said. “It’s definitely a tough draw . ... Hopefully I’ll see her Friday.”
Defending champion Sloane Stephens and twotime U.S. Open finalist Victoria Azarenka also will meet in the third round after victories on another hot and humid day at the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, where winning wasn’t enough.
Winning quickly and getting back indoors was on everyone’s mind.
“Yeah, I’m very happy about that,” Azarenka said after overpowering No. 25 seed Daria Gavrilova of Australia 6-1, 6-2.
Venus Williams was spared some of the most direct sun by playing in the rebuilt Louis Armstrong Stadium, which is wellshaded. But there was only so much protection available on a day when temperatures soared into the mid-90s for the second straight day.
“Maybe the hottest conditions I have ever played (in),” No. 20 seed Borna Coric said after winning his second-round match in straight sets.
An extreme heat rule was to remain in effect until further notice, allowing men to take a 10-minute break between the third and fourth set of singles matches, and women to do so between their second and third sets.