US Open 2015: Venus Williams edges past Monica Puig in New York
Monday 31 August 2015 22:21, UK
Two-time former champion Venus Williams booked her spot in the second round of the US Open but needed three sets to overcome world No 85 Monica Puig.
The 35-year-old Williams, and No 23 seed, made it through 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-3, after missing out on four match points during the second set tie-break.
Williams, winner in 2000 and 2001, appeared to be heading for a straight sets triumph when she held three match points at 6-3 in the tie-break.
However, she failed to win any of the next three points and also failed with a fourth at 7-6.
But Williams responded by breaking her Puerto Rican opponent in the opening game of the final set, and again in game nine, to clinch a tense victory after two hours and 43 minutes.
Elsewhere, 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova – the No 30 seed – was beaten by dangerous French player Kristina Mladenovic 6-3 7-5.
Another French entry to create a shock was Oceane Dodin, a three-set winner over former world No 1 Jelena Jankovic.
The Serbian No 21 seed was beaten 2-6 7-5 6-3, having broken serve to lead 4-3 in the second set.
And the No 8 seed Karolina Pliskova was also sent packing, going down 6-2 6-1 to American Anna Tatishvili, who at one stage won eight games in a row.
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