By Erik Gudris | Monday, March 24, 2014

 

Dominika Cibulkova fought off a determined Venus Williams in a fierce, entertaining fourth round battle at the Sony Open.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

Dominika Cibulkova looked poised to make it an early night at the Sony Open in Miami. That was until Venus Williams fired up her game to create a fierce late night fourth round battle.

Cibulkova, the recent Australian Open finalist, leapt out to a quick early 5-0 lead over a flat looking Williams who was coming off a tough three set win on Sunday. Williams held serve to at least get on the scoreboard, but Cibulkova soon closed out the first set 6-1.

READ - Lightning Round With Cibulkova

The second set is when the match really began after Williams started to show off more of her trademark firepower. Cibulkova responded by chasing down almost every ball leading to plenty of entertaining, high-octane rallies. Each would try to outstretch the other from all sides of the court while cracking the ball with laser-like accuracy.

Williams, urged on by the crowd, broke Cibulkova to edge ahead 5-3. Yet Williams couldn't serve it out as Cibulkova broke right back at love. At 5-all, a tiebreak looked inevitable. That was before Williams squeezed out another break with a massive return that Cibulkova sent long to take the set 7-5.

With a clenched fist, Williams marched back to her chair as she prepared for the final set.

Cibulkova would take the initiative in the decider by jumping out to a 4-1 lead. Once again, Williams started yet another comeback attempt by pulling to within a game at 4-3. Holding 15-40 on Cibulkova's serve, Williams waited to pounce with her returns. But Cibulkova, despite having serving difficulties most of the night, came up with two strong deliveries and stood her ground to get to deuce.

Soon enough, Cibulkova held and pulled to within a game of the win. Williams couldn't force Cibulkova to serve it out as the Slovakian would hold a match point in the next game.

With a final forehand winner, Cibulkova celebrated the hard fought 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 win that sent her into the quarterfinals.

The result ends Williams' recent winning streak that included claiming her 45th title in Dubai earlier in the year.

Agnieszka Radwanska awaits in the next round for Cibulkova. Li Na meets Caroline Wozniacki in the second quarterfinal inside this part of the draw.