Advertisement

Serena Williams overcomes lost set to take Cincinnati opener

CINCINNATI, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Serena Williams lost her first set since Wimbledon Wednesday but came from behind to reach the third round of the Western & Southern Open.

Williams, the winner of eight tournaments this year, got past Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. It was the first dropped set for Williams since she lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Sabine Lisicki.

Advertisement

That was the only match Williams has lost in her last 44 WTA appearances.

She will meet Mona Barthel in the third round after Barthel defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4.

Serena's sister Venus Williams, meanwhile, fell to Elena Vesnina for her fifth setback in six matches. Vesnina emerged a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 winner and will now meet Agnieszka Radwanska, who breezed by Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-0.

Also advancing was Jelena Jankovic, who had to come from behind to defeat Ekaterina Makarova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Jankovic will now face Sloane Stephens, who pulled off a surprising second-round victory Tuesday over third-seeded Maria Sharapova.

Advertisement

Other second-round winners Wednesday included Sara Errani, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Samantha Stosur, Roberta Vinci, Caroline Wozniacki, Magdalena Rybarikova and Li Na.

Latest Headlines