Sport
Serena Williams beats Samantha Stosur to advance to quarterfinals
Serena Williams beats Samantha Stosur. PHOTO/Andrew Innerarity/Reuters
Serena Williams rallied from a break down in both sets Monday to beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.
Williams, bidding for a record sixth Key Biscayne title, avenged a loss to Stosur when they last met in the U.S. Open final in September.
Seeded 10th, Williams is playing in her first tournament since January after being sidelined by a left ankle injury. She hit 20 aces and lost only six points on her first serve, but she had to rally after being broken in the first game of each set against the No. 6-seeded Stosur.
Williams is seeking her first tournament championship since August.
Also reaching the quarterfinals was No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who overcame 11 double-faults to beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Sharapova won despite committing 52 unforced errors and losing her serve four times. She seeks her first Key Biscayne title after losing in the final three times.
On the men’s side, No. 8-seeded Mardy Fish assured he’ll remain the top-ranked American by beating No. 28 Kevin Anderson in the third round, 6-4, 6-3.
Williams started slowly, failing to convert her first seven break-point chances, but once she pulled even, her serve repeatedly got her out of trouble.
