Venus Williams Comes Through Three Set Battle

Venus Williams has to battle through injury to book her place in the third round of the Australian Open as she had to come from a set down to see off Sandra Zahlavova.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match Williams said: It was really tough but I am such a long way from home and I didn't want to go home just yet.

"I don't know what happened, I just started going for shots and I am not sure she was as composed as before.

“You have to play under different circumstances."

Williams lost the opening set 8-6 in the tie break before having to leave the court for a medical time out on a leg injury.

But the break seemed to do the American the world of good as she served up a bagel set in the second to level the match at a set a piece.

Into the third and Zahlavova did put more of a fight but in the end Williams’ experience told as she wrapped up a 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-4 win.

She will now face Andrea Petkovic, who put out Briton Anne Keothavong, in the next round.

Caroline Wozniacki continued her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title and needed under an hour to wrap up her straight sets victory over Vania King.

She dopped just one game in her 6-1 6-0 victory and will face Dominika Cibulkova, who beat her in the Sydney International just last week, as she saw off Alberta Brianti 6-1 4-6 6-2.

Victoria Azarenka also progressed to the third round as she saw off Andrea Hlavackova in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

And while Maria Sharapova looked to be struggling in the first set of her match, being pushed to a tie break by Virginie Razzano, she finally came through 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

She will now face Julia Georges in the third round as the German saw off Kaia Kanepi 6-4 3-6 6-4.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw