Venus Williams has secured a place in the quarter-final of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2010, beating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 2-6 6-1 at the Australian Open this morning.
The Pole struggled with her serving in the first set, allowing Williams to put a sluggish start behind her and get a break on her way to winning four games in a row to take the opening set.
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Radwanska quickly responded after dropping a set for the first time in the tournament though, moving effortlessly around the court to edge ahead in the second.
The 34-year-old American tried to get the set back on level terms, but the sixth seed held on in a lengthy game on her serve before leveling the match.
Radwanska had a chance to break early in the third, but the four-time champion dug deep to hold before getting the better of the Pole in the next game.
Williams had to work hard to consolidate the break, with Radwanska showing her pace along the baseline, but the American's powerful groundstrokes and a string of volleys helped her see out the game.
With a 4-1 lead, Williams had a chance to break Radwanska again, and the sixth seed handed her the game with a long forehand, allowing Williams to serve it out in the next game.
Williams will face fellow American Madison Keys in the last eight.
Sian Cowper
