Marked improvement

Venus back to best for easy win over Cargill

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Second seed Venus Williams thrashed qualifier Ansley Cargill 6-3 6-0 on Wednesday to cruise into the third round of the Australian Open.

Williams, showing a marked improvement on her first round win over Svetlana Kuznetsova, completely outplayed her fellow American to seal victory in less than an hour.

"I definitely think it was a lot better," Williams said. "I think I was able to start being aggressive because I was more consistent."

Williams broke Cargill's first service game to take the opening set in 32 minutes then raced through the second in just 20 minutes to seal an easy victory.

Williams had crushed Cargill 6-2 6-2 in the opening round here last year when the 118th ranked American was making her first appearance in the tournament.

But the world number two was even more ruthless this time as she cracked 39 winners to Cargill's three. However, in her eagerness to get a quick kill, Williams also committed a whopping 28 unforced errors and three double faults.

"It's impossible to play your best every day," Williams said.

"No matter who you are, your opponent can come out and play better tennis."

Williams lost to little sister Serena in the final of last year's French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open championships but has never progressed beyond the semifinals in Melbourne.

She plays Anca Barna in the third round after the German upset 27th seed Lisa Raymond 6-3 6-1.

With Serena in the top half of the draw, Venus has a fairly clear path to the final after defending champion Jennifer Capriati suffered a shock first-round defeat.

But Venus said she was not taking anything for granted.

"I realize that any day could be my day to go home, so it's my intent to ensure that each day is not my day and each day will be the day that I'll come back as the winner.

"I haven't picked up my game but I'm trying, that's all that counts."

 

Related information

Stories

Ferrero reaches third round, matches best Aussie Open effort Agassi cruises, Henin-Hardenne spanks Kournikova Slimline Davenport outlasts feisty Uzbek Ruthless Agassi allows Lee just one game Fifth seed Moya crashes out against Fish

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video

Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.