Venus shakes off slow start to progress

Venus Williams progressed to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, overcoming an uncertain start to defeat qualifier Marta Domachowska 6-4 6-4 on the Rod Laver Arena today.

The American advanced despite being less than convincing in the early exchanges when her serve came under pressure from Domachowska, who took the lead in the third game by breaking William’s with a fine cross-court passing shot.

Williams, though, broke back in the sixth game only for Domachowska to reclaim her advantage by breaking the American’s serve at the next opportunity.

However, Domachowska was unable to hold in her next game and Williams again pulled level before going on to break the Pole once more to take the set 6-4 as the pressure started to show on the qualifier.

Domachowska’s serve held firm until the penultimate game of the second set when she finally succumbed to Williams but the American failed to consolidate her lead and Domachowska broke back in the next game.

But the former world number one and winner of six Grand Slam singles titles sealed victory in the next game when she broke Domachowska once more to book her spot in the next round.

Williams, who played with a heavily strapped thigh, will now take on Serbian Ana Ivanovic in the last eight.