Indian Wells: Venus Williams Defeats Petkovic To Advance

By: Francis Joseph

    Venus Williams outlasted Andrea Petkovic to reach the second round of the Indian Wells Open, BSNSports reports. The Former world number one Williams overcame Petkovic in three sets on Thursday to set up a showdown with Australian Open runner-up and third seed Petra Kvitova. Williams edged Petkovic 6-4 0-6 6-3 in the opening round. Playing for the first time since her third-round defeat to Simona Halep at the Australian Open, Williams needed almost two hours to see off the German. Williams – a three-time Indian Wells semi-finalist – broke for a 4-1 lead in the final set and never looked back."I haven't played in forever, so that was challenging in itself, to get back into competition," said Williams.