Venus Willams Moves into the Third Round of Australian Open

American Venus Williams made a remarkable comeback and continued her bid to win her eighth grand slam in the Australian Open 2011. Remarkable because she had to endure an upset and an injury scare in the first set from unheralded Sandra Zahlavova from the Czech Republic.

The first set was very intense, as the challenger Zahlavova absorbed Williams' power with consistent groundies and moved Williams around the court. She matched Williams stroke-for-stroke, scream-for-scream. Both players were screaming at the top of their lungs. Unfortunately at set point during the tiebreak, with Williams trailing 6-7, she hit a difficult backhand volley. When she landed on the ground, she held her groin and grimaced in pain. Zahlavova went on to win the point and sealed the first set at 7-6 (8-6). Williams called for a medical timeout, and she got back to continue the second set with a bandage on her upper thigh.

The second set was a different story. There was less screaming from both players, but it was all Williams. She showed grit and determination that even though she was limping, she went for her serves and shots to dominate Zahlavova, finishing the second set at 6-0.

The intensity went back, as Zahlavova went ahead 2-0 in the third set. But Williams evened it at 2-2, and then, eventually found herself serving at 5-4. Zahlavova did not give up easily though, she saved a matchpoint, thanks to a double fault from Williams. But it wasn't enough.

Williams ended the match with a strong serve Zahlavova could not put into play and wrapped up the match with 6-7(8-6), 6-0, 6-4 victory.