Top Names Advance At BNP Paribas Tennis Open
Published on March 13 2017 6:52 am
Last Updated on March 13 2017 6:52 am
By ESPN
Venus Williams cast aside three match points and completed a big comeback after trailing by a set and a break, beating another former No. 1-ranked player, Jelena Jankovic, 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1 on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open.
Williams moved into the third round at Indian Wells for the first time since 2001, the year she and her father were jeered after she withdrew from her semifinal against younger sister Serena because of an injury. Williams boycotted the hard-court tournament until she returned last year.
Against Jankovic, the 36-year-old Williams -- a seven-time Grand Slam champion and the Australian Open runner-up against her sister in January -- had white tape wrapping her right elbow and left thigh. The American, who is seeded 12th, lost the opening set quickly, dropping 16 of 18 points on her own serve before falling behind 4-1 in the second.
Even after Williams began turning things around, she was a point from losing on three occasions, each while she served trailing 6-5 in the second set. On the first, at 15-40, she ended an 11-stroke exchange with a backhand volley winner. On the next, at 30-40, Jankovic pushed a return of serve long.
And on the third, later in that game, Jankovic again missed a return, also sending it long, and put her hands on her hips. She would only win one game the rest of the way.
Djokovic, Federer, Nadal Advance
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- owners of a combined 44 Grand Slam titles and 12 of the past 13 trophies at Indian Wells -- earned straight-sets victories Sunday to get started at the BNP Paribas Open.
A day after No. 1 Andy Murray was upset by 129th-ranked qualifier Vasek Pospisil, the other members of the so-called Big Four of men's tennis moved into the third round after first-round byes.
And the entire distinguished trio -- Federer has a record 18 major titles, Nadal 14, Djokovic 12 -- are packed into the same section of the draw.
Federer and longtime rival Nadal could meet in the fourth round, with the winner possibly advancing to face Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
