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 The 34-year-old, seven-times grand slam winner reached the round
for the first time in four years at Flushing Meadows through a 6-1
6-4 victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court which she helped
christen with the first Open final there in 1997.
"I was watching Serena last night and she played so well so I tried
to do the same thing," twice U.S. champion Venus said about her
32-year-old, number one-ranked sister, who blazed by fellow American
Taylor Townsend in straight sets on Tuesday.
"I'm really happy to have pulled it out in the end," added Venus,
who will play Italian 13th seed Sara Errani who beat Australian
Anastasia Rodionova 6-4 7-6 (2).
 Williams charged through the first set, but the next set stayed on
serve until the ninth game when the 78th-ranked Swiss hit a wayward
backhand wide to put the American 5-4 ahead.
With Williams serving for the match, Bacsinszky reached break point
at 30-40 threatening to put the match back on serve.
But the 19th-seeded Williams then powered in a 96mph second serve,
her fastest second serve of the match, for a winner.
"When the stakes get higher I start to hit harder," Venus said. "I
can't help it, it's instinct for me.
"Sometimes it's not the smartest thing, but sometimes it works."
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Williams's appearance marked 17 years since she helped christen the
massive Arthur Ashe stadium center court as a 17 year old in 1997,
waging the first final staged there in which she lost to Martina Hingis.
"I didn't know what I was doing, that's what I remember most," recalled
a laughing Venus. "I don't know how I got to the final, I had no
strategy.
"But it was a wonderful time. My family was here just as they are today
so that feels great."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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