Venus Soars Past Siegemund

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams dispatched No.26 seed Laura Siegemund, 6-1, 6-2, to waltz into the second week in Flushing Meadows for the 14th time in her illustrious career.

“I’m happy with putting wins under my belt,” she said after the match. “I’m always in search for perfection. If it’s not perfect, I’m back to the drawing board

“Today was a more straightforward win, but not perfect. So I’ll be working on perfection.”

Playing her first night match of the tournament, Venus played solid tennis against Siegemund, who was into the third round for the first time ever. Hitting 11 winners and breaking serve six times, the elder Williams sister survived several long games against the German veteran – one of the longest coming as she served for the opening set.

“Everything I’ve gone through has proven to me that I love the game, because to be out here is an effort, to say the least. So it’s proved that I love this clearly enough to go through this. And to reach perfection is something I still expect from myself, no matter what, whatever it is I’m going through.”

Saving four break points, Venus took the first set on her second opportunity and immediately broke to start the second. Making no mistake when it came time to serve out the match, she held to 15 and booked the last remaining spot in the round of 16, where she will play No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova.

“Each match is different. I approach them differently. We play kind of a similar game. So it’s about one of us playing that game better.

“I haven’t played her that often. So go out there and put the ball in the court, try to win.”

Pliskova reached the second week of a major tournament earlier on Saturday by knocking out 2011 quarterfinalist and No.17 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 6-4.

“It definitely was always my goal,” she said in her post-match press conference. “So I’m really happy that I got there. I was trying to get there for a long time, but before it probably wasn’t meant to be. So I’m happy to be there now, especially at the US Open, especially on hardcourt, which is my best surface.

“I’m also really happy with the match, how I got through.”

The two have played just once before, with Venus narrowly edging the Czech star in the final of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

“It’s not that long ago, when we played. I remember the match. It was pretty good match from I think both of us. She was playing really good tennis there.

“Obviously with her it’s tough. She’s serving pretty well both serves, playing aggressive on the return. There is not much to do.

“I just have to serve well. That’s the most important thing.”

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