Venus advances, waiting for Serena in US Open third round

NEW YORK - Venus Williams beat Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-5 in the US Open women's singles second round on Wednesday, a couple of hours before Serena was scheduled for a match at night.

A Serena's victory then would have the Williams sisters meeting in the third round.

"Obviously, it's early in the tournament, so both of us are going to be looking forward to continuing to play better," Venus said. "Obviously, it's definitely a tough draw. She's definitely fully capable of winning tonight's match. So hopefully I'll see her Friday."

Serena, at No. 17 seeded one spot below her older sister, should face cooler conditions during her night match against Carina Witthoeft.

Defending champion Sloane Stephens and two-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka also will meet in the third round.

"Yeah, I'm very happy about that," Azarenka said after overpowering No. 25 seed Daria Gavrilova of Australia 6-1, 6-2.

Stephens was in trouble early before rallying to beat Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Other seeded winners on the women's side included No. 8 Elina Svitolina, No. 15 Elise Mertens, No. 19 Anastasija Sevastova and No. 23 Barbora Strycova, all in straight sets.