After struggling in the opening match of the US Open due to an injured left knee, the 3rd-seeded Venus Williams obtained her pass to the second round of the tournament after beating 47th-seeded Vera Dushevina 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3 on Monday at the Arhtur Ashe Stadium. The American has been fighting with what may be patellar tendinitis in her left knee for at least five to six weeks – including during her loss at Wimbledon – but she hopes to recover to keep climbing the next rounds.
Venus began the match with uncharacteristic sloppy play, losing her first game and falling behind 1-2 in the opening set. She paused, taking a nine-minute injury timeout to check and tape her left knee. Despite the break, however, Williams’ serve difficulties did not disappear; she ultimately lost the opening set in a 7-6 tiebreak.
Entering the second set, the American seemed to face an even tougher match; she could not control her serve, her foot, or her unforced errors. However, despite being down 5-4, Williams began to play more aggressively, attacking more balls in the air and maintaining her serve to tie the set 5-5. Finally, with an accurate backhand that shot the ball behind Dushevina, Williams won the set 7-5 and evened out the match to 1 set apiece.
In the decisive third set, Williams entered with more confidence, winning the first four games of the set. However, Dushevina was able to rally back to a 4-3, but not for long; Venus broke in the ninth game to secure the match with a 6-3 in the crucial set. After two hours and 44 minutes of play, Venus was finally able to claim the match and take the victory.
Although Dushevina played more consistently than her American rival, she couldn’t take advantage of Williams’ mistakes, missing opportunities twice in the second set and again at the very end of the match.
“I had 5-4 in the second set and it was maybe little chance. It was love-15, but the next few points, she played so great,” the Russian said.
Still, Williams’ win was not easy; she committed 54 unforced errors, hit 10 double-faults, was called for 7 foot faults, and was broken 6 times. Nevertheless, Williams was able to pass her Russian opponent – if only just barely – and avoid an early exit at the tournament.
Only time will tell how large a role her knee problems will play in the next rounds.
“I had some issues and needed some support. I'm not one to complain, and everyone has injuries they are dealing with. I did my best tonight. Despite anything I was going through I will do my best to prepare for my next round. It's going to be a lot of prayer and everything I can throw at it. But I'm tough," stated Venus.
Venus will face Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round of the US Open. Williams will need luck – and anything else she can get – to battle through the rest of the tournament.