Venus Williams Battles Back From Near Loss

2 months ago 01st Sep 12:04

Venus Williams almost crashed out of the U.S. Open before seeing off Vera Dushevina in three sets last night.

The former champion has been struggling with a knee injury, and required treatment during the game, was just three points from losing the match before battling back.

The Wimbledon finalist had an up and down match that saw her deliver ten double faults as she struggled to hold of her rhythm and a handle on her opponent's game.

Dushevina, who is ranked forty four places below Williams, didn't appear fazed by the occasion as she went toe to toe with Williams in the first set.

Going to a tie break the Russian found herself a set up when she clinched it 5-7. There was more of the same from the world number three as her game was littered with problems, including seven foot faults and Dushevina took full advantage.

The second set was also close but as the Russian closed in on a shock win Williams dug deep to level the match.

Into the third set and Dushevina's chance had gone as her disappeared with Williams finally securing the win 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3.

There weren't any problems for Serena Williams as she raced into round two with a straight sets win over Alexa Glatch 6-4 6-1.

The defending champion Serena also has the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles under her belt so far this season as she closes in on the world number one spot.

However she would face her sister Venus in the semi final should they both go deep into the tournament.

However the opening day of women's play belonged to Kim Clijsters as she made her Grand Slam with an impressive 6-1 6-1 win over Viktoriya Kutusova.

Clijsters retired in 2007 but made her return earlier this summer she is however unseeded in the tournament which means she meets 14th seed Marion Bartoli in the next round.

And it was a similarly impressive win for Bartoli in her first match as she cruised passed Rossana De Los Rios 6-1 6-0.

There were also good wins for Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka, Amelie Mauresmo and Flavia Pennetta, all winning in straight sets.

However Aleksandra Wozniak and Sam Stosur were made to fight a little harder to reach the second round. World number one Dinara Safina gets her campaign underway today as she tries to win her first Grand Slam title.