Venus reaches third round at Berlin Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-06 13:56

Venus Williams extended her winning streak to 12 matches by beating Eleni Daniilidou 7-5, 6-3 Wednesday to reach the German Open's third round.

Venus Williams makes a return against Eleni Daniilidou, from Greece, during their third round match of the 25th Ladies German Open in Berlin, Wednesday, May 5, 2004. Williams defeated Daniilidou 7-5, 6-3. [AP]

Williams smacked a backhand volley into the open court to end the match after 80 minutes, but not everything came easily for the four-time major champion. She trailed 2-0 in the second set before raising her game.

"It was a good match," Williams said. "I was a little off today, but I was able to raise my game at the right time. I think we both did good for the crowd."

The third-seeded Williams is chasing her third straight title at the clay-court tuneup for the French Open.

"There was a point in the first set when I couldn't get a first serve over the net," she said. "There's days like that, they're weird. But I got my notes, my checklist of what I got to do better."

The American will face 16th-seeded Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi of Israel, who ousted Nathalie Dechy of France 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Kim Clijsters also moved into the third round, overcoming a rocky comeback from a left wrist injury to get past qualifier Marta Marrero 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Clijsters trailed 3-2 in the final set and needed three match points before winning in two hours.

"I definitely didn't play the best tennis match of my career," Clijsters said, adding that her wrist isn't completely healed after a six-week layoff.

"Being on the court and not being able to hit the ball the way you like to is frustrating. But winning, no matter how, is satisfying. It's good to have a tough match like this," Clijsters said.

She wore a brace around her left wrist for tendinitis, which has sidelined her since pulling out at Indian Wells, Calif.

Second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo had an easier time reaching the third round, needing just 50 minutes to coast past Gisela Dulko 6-1, 6-2.

Also, Elena Dementieva edged Stephanie Cohen-Aloro 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

The brace hampered Clijsters' two-handed backhand, which she was unable to practice during her layoff.

At one point in the second set against the 81st-ranked Marrero, Clijsters dropped five straight points, all on backhands. After losing the set, the Belgian smashed a ball against a wall.

"She was definitely putting pressure on my backhand," Clijsters said. "I'm not consistent, but I will try to work myself back to where I am consistent."

She now faces Karolina Sprem, who eliminated Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2, 7-6 (3).

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Audits target nine giant SOEs         Wen ends German visit, arrives in Brussels         Net offers escape for lonely hearts         LegCo 'no' to motion on Tung report         Beijing SARS patient leaves hospital         17 suspects detained after attack in Pakistan	Diego Maradona back in intensive care       Chelsea 2-2 Monaco: Bridge of sighs       AFC Champions League: Shanghai maintain winning ways       Venus reaches third round at Berlin Open       Woods offers praise for Quail Hollow       AFC Champions League: Dalian book spot in last eight