Number two seed Venus Williams needed three sets to beat Indian Sania Mirza 6-1 3-6 6-2 in the second round of the Family Circle Cup.
American survives second round scare in Charleston
Number two seed Venus Williams needed three sets to beat Indian Sania Mirza 6-1 3-6 6-2 in the second round of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.
After powering through the opening set, Williams was pegged back in the second by a spirited Mirza, who came back from 3-1 down to win five games on the spin.
And the 100th-ranked Mirza appeared to be on course for an upset when breaking Williams twice early in the decider, but the American stormed back to win the last five games and wrap up the match.
"These kind of matches are great to pull out," Williams said. "I've been in these situations before, so I rely on that.
"When she's playing against me, she's got to go for it and I think there's also a sense of nothing to lose.
"When you look at the numbers and the rankings and statistics, you know, I'm supposed to win this match, so I think that gives her an opportunity to swing freely."
There was a surprise in the all-Ukrainian clash between 11th seed Alona Bondarenko and lower ranked Viktoriya Kutuzova, who ran out the 6-4 7-5 winner.
Elena Vesnina of Russia outlasted eighth-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5. Schnyder, a two-time runner-up, hasn't won consecutive matches on tour since she claimed the Bali title last September.
Elsewhere, Russian Anastasia Rodionova beat American 12th seed Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-2 6-4 to seal her place in round three.
Iin the final match of the night, the improving fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki won her seventh successive match, including last week's Ponte Vedra Beach title, by defeating Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 6-3, 6-3, to set up a third-round clash with 10th-seeded Peng Shuai.
