By Erik Gudris | Friday, September 4, 2015
Venus Williams powered past Belinda Bencic to reach the fourth round of the US Open for the first time since 2010.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
With a vintage display of power and tenacity, Venus Williams is once again into the second week of a major this year.
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The 35-year-old veteran used her trademark power along with some excellent feel at net to dismiss rising talent and No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic in the third round.
"I'm really glad I played so well today against someone who's had a great summer," Williams said right after to ESPN's Pam Shriver.
Bencic entered the event having won Toronto earlier in the summer that included a win over World No. 1 Serena Williams. For the elder Williams, she was hoping to get back into the second week of a major since doing so in January down in Melbourne.
After having grinded through back-to-back three set matches earlier in the event, the No. 23 seeded Williams looked ready for a shorter match. For the 18-year-old Bencic, who had never beaten Williams in three earlier meetings, serving well was a key for her.
Both women held serve rather easily in the opening games of the first set. In the fifth game, Williams pressured Bencic with the veteran holding three break points. Bencic saved them all to hold for 3-all. But Williams would get another chance to break later.
Williams, moving forward at every opportunity, especially on Bencic's short second serve, held 0-40 in the seventh game. Williams then broke to take a 5-3 lead.
With a potent 118 MPH ace, Williams closed out the set 6-3.
Williams missed out on three more break points at the start of the second set. When Bencic finally held, it felt like a huge game for the young Swiss star who at last seemed ready to challenge the two-time US Open champion.
A few games later, Bencic would hold her first break point of the afternoon. With a fine backhand down the line passing shot, Bencic broke for 3-1.
As Williams' high level dipped, she created more errors than winners. Soon, Bencic was up 4-1. Yet Bencic, despite all her talent, couldn't find a way to impose herself and perhaps force a final set.
Williams found her range again and began closing the gap. At 4-2, Williams struck two big forehands that eventually led to her holding 15-40. Though she missed out on yet another break point chance, Williams made no mistake on her next one. She ripped a sharply angled crosscourt backhand winner to get back on serve.
A fine touch volley in the next game helped Williams get back to 4-all.
By now, Bencic looked frustrated and out of answers. With tentative play from the baseline, Bencic found herself down break points again on her serve. She sprayed a backhand wide that allowed Williams to serve for the match at 5-4.
Though Williams had trouble in earlier matches closing things out, she didn't this time. Spurred on by the partisan Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, Williams soon held match points. Ending the match with her fifth ace, Williams raised her fist in victory with the efficient 6-3, 6-4 win.
Williams hit 31 winners to just 12 from her opponent.
"I love the game. I love the US Open," Williams told the approving crowd. "I love that you got behind me even when I was down."
Williams now finds herself in the fourth round of the US Open for the first time since 2010. Williams was asked about her thoughts on a possible later meeting in the quarterfinals against her sister and top seed Serena Williams.
"I hope we both get to the quarterfinals. I do."