By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, January 21, 2015

 

Venus Williams eased into the Australian Open third round as she tries to reach the second week of a major for the first time in four years.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Venus Williams is on track at this year's Australian Open to perhaps achieve another important step in her recent comeback. This time, a possible trip into the second week of Grand Slam.

Australian Open: Serena Powers Past Zvonareva

The seven-time major winner has not been to the second week of a major since she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon back in 2011. She took another step with her second round win over fellow American Lauren Davis.

Williams, having just defeated Davis a few weeks ago during her title run in Auckland, started off slow as she fell behind an early break. But Williams soon used her potent serve and hard-hitting groundstrokes to power past Davis throughout the afternoon.

With a total of 18 winners, Williams advanced 6-2, 6-3.

Afterwards, the No. 18 seed Williams had some fun with the crowd while being interviewed after the match. When asked if her experience in Grand Slams was a key in the match, Williams said with a laugh, "I think I've been around Grand Slam tennis since when the dinosaurs were around. Definitely experience."

Williams, fresh off winning her 46th career title in Auckland, is now playing the kind of tennis that could just put her in the second week in Melbourne. Something she hasn't done down under since 2010 when she reached the quarterfinals.

"For me, I've won in my life. I've won a lot of things," Williams said later. "For me it's about titles, so no matter what the title is for me, to the finals is the same thing as the third round if I didn't win. For me, it's about hopefully trying to take titles home. You know, last year I got in the circle to hopefully take titles quite a few times, and sometimes came up short. That's pretty much where I want to be. That's my focus really is, how close can I get myself to be in that winner's circle."

Up next for Williams is a first-time meeting against Italy's Camila Giorgi who she'll have to get through to be a part of the second week.

"Not sure if I played her before, but she definitely raises her game depending on the caliber player that she plays. I think it's just important to remain consistent and aggressive, just as I've been this whole year. That's my goal."