Berlin, May 07: Venus Williams overwhelmed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the German Open yesterday, showing the full range of her power game.
Williams ran her winning streak to 13 straight as she slammed winners all over the court and landed her big first serve against the 16th-seeded Israeli at the US $1.3 million event, a major tuneup for the French Open.
"I felt good today. That's my game," said the third-seeded Williams. "I definitely needed to control the match."
Williams looked far sharper against Smashnova-Pistolesi than she had a day earlier in struggling past Eleni Daniilidou.
Often she won her powerful serve at love before ending the match in 57 minutes by blasting a forehand winner that hugged the line.



The American, a former No. 1 in the world, has cured the abdominal strain and foot injuries that hampered her play and now is chasing her third straight title after winning at Charleston and Warsaw.


Bureau Report