By Erik Gudris | Saturday, September 3, 2016
Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams enjoyed a straight sets win to put herself back in the fourth round.
Photo Crecit: Getty Images
For two-time champion Venus Williams, a straight sets win is just what she needed heading into the second week of the US Open. But for her, the result still wasn’t perfect.
US Open: Pliskova Earns Career Best Showing at a Major
“I’m happy with putting wins under my belt. I'm always in search for perfection. If it's not perfect, I'm back to the drawing board, so…Today was a more straightforward win, but not perfect. So I'll be working on perfection,” Williams said after the win.
The sixth-seeded Williams navigated herself past a potentially tricky opponent in No. 26 seed Laura Siegemund in the third round meeting on Arthur Ashe Stadium. While to those on hand at Arthur Ashe Stadium the result was perfect, Williams herself is always looking to improve.
“Well, the thing is, you never really reach perfect, so that's why you always go back to practice (laughter). That's just my mentality. I think it's most players' mentality, too.”
Williams, with her trademark big hitting, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set.
Siegemund, who had success earlier this year during the clay-court swing, couldn’t find a way to counter the seven-time major champion.
Williams eventually closed out the first set 6-1 with help from another Siegemund groundstroke error.
The second set proved almost a copy of the first as Williams again enjoyed an early break lead. Williams opened up a 4-1 double break lead, but couldn’t quite put the match away.
Siegemund got one of the breaks back with help from a Williams forehand error.
The German, who struggle with her serve all night, almost got to within a game of Williams. But the former No. 1 broke again for 5-2.
Williams eventually secured the 6-1, 6-2 win after a final exchange up at net from both players.
Williams now finds herself back in the fourth round of the US Open where she will next face recent Cincinnati winner and No. 10 seed Karolina Pliskova.