Serena sees off Peng to progress

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:15

After taking the first set in comfortable fashion, Williams was made to work hard in the second by her Chinese opponent before eventually coming through in straight sets.

Williams broke Peng in the third game of the first set to take an early 2-1 lead and consolidated her advantage by holding to love in the next, sealing the game with a powerful ace down the middle.

A thumping backhand return and a fine cross-court forehand winner set up another break for the American as she began to look ominously dominant and a delightful backhand lob in the seventh game gave Williams set point, which she duly took after Peng hit a return into the net.

The world number 41 fought back at the start of the second set, breaking Williams in the first game but the second seed countered in the next, expertly manoeuvring her opponent along the baseline before picking her off almost at will.

However unforced errors, including missing an easy forehand volley, saw the American immediately give away her serve once again and Peng then held to take a 3-1 lead.

But Williams responded and levelled at 3-3 when Peng sent a forehand long. She then held her serve following a lengthy deuce as Peng battled gamely to stay in the set.

Williams then wrapped up victory on her opponent’s serve, a couple of errors giving the 27-year-old three match points and she converted the first one with an easy smash.

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