Venus Williams survives roller-coaster match against Bertens in Miami

In a match that saw big leads, numerous break points and multiple match points go by the wayside, it was Venus Williams who prevailed over Kiki Bertens in the third round of the Miami Open in a match that lasted nearly three hours.

After the first few games, no one could have foreseen the contest extending that long as Williams raced to a 5-0 lead. However, Bertens managed to stave off the onslaught bit by bit, slowly gaining a foothold into the match. That perseverance paid off as she won seven straight games to take the opening frame 7-5.

In the early stages of the second set, it appeared the momentum was still with the Dutchwoman. This time, though, it was Williams’ turn to reverse the tide as she went on to take the second set 6-3 and send the match into a decider.

Williams vs. Bertens match point:

Bertens, who lost a closely contested match to Serena Williams two weeks ago in Indian Wells, wasn’t prepared to give up the opportunity against the older Williams sister right away. She went up a break early and eventually recorded three match points in total.

Williams fought them off and then as Bertens served for a 6-5 lead, it was the veteran American who broke serve and took the advantage. In the next game, the world No. 8 served out the match with little opposition from Bertens at that point.

Williams, a three-time champion in Miami, will next face last year’s winner Johanna Konta for a spot in the quarterfinals as she attempts to capture her first title since 2016.

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