Williams gets past low-ranked qualifier at Open

AP

HARD YAKKER: Venus Williams returns the ball to Rebecca Marino at the US Open tennis tournament in New York.

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Venus Williams struggled early before reeling off the last six points of a tiebreak and beating 193rd-ranked qualifier Rebecca Marino of Canada 7-6 6-3 at the US Open today.

The No 3-seeded Williams trailed 3-1 in the tiebreak but responded with a cross-court backhand winner, followed by a forehand winner to get going and reach the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Williams won the US Open in 2000 and 2001 and has never lost earlier than the fourth round.

Today's match was the American's second since late June, when she was upset in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

Williams pulled out of two hard-court tuneup tournaments in August after injuring her left kneecap.

- AP