Showdown still on for Williams sisters

Yellow fever: Venus Williams, in action today, is looking to win the Australian Open title for the first time

13 April 2012

The Williams sisters continued their march towards a semi-final showdown by easily winning today but former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic crashed out.

Venus Wiliams, looking to win the title here for the first time, swept aside Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-2, 7-5.

Sister Serena had bandages on her right thigh and left lower leg but needed just 67 minutes to beat Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-1. Despite the return to the tour of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, Serena believes she is still the leading lady.

"If I play well, I am tough to beat," said the defending champion. "I am happy to see Henin back and doing well because she is such a good player and a fighter. Kim is fun to have back on the tour and winning the US Open was awesome for her."

Ivanovic continues to struggle and was knocked out of the second round 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 by the unseeded Gisela Dulko, of Argentina.

"I was really disappointed to fight back in the third set and then make a couple of double faults and basically hand her three match points," said Ivanovic." (But) I feel I have the right things in place and striking the ball really well.

"That's why it's disappointing when I get on a court and I put so much pressure on myself that it's not enjoyable anymore, it's overwhelming."