CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Venus Williams has advanced at the Family Circle Cup, defeating qualifier Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-3.
Tuesday’s win was Williams’ fourth straight against Benesova, who is ranked No. 44. Williams has won seven Grand Slam tournaments but is now ranked 87th. She has been idle for most of the past seven months because of an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain. She won the Family Circle Cup eight years ago and is unseeded this time.
Sister Serena is seeded fifth for the clay-court event in Charleston. She plays in Tuesday night’s featured match against Elena Vesnina of Russia. The Williams sisters could meet in Saturday’s semifinals.
Also Tuesday, 12th-seeded Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium defeated Vania King of the U.S. 6-4, 6-3.
