With all eyes on her sister Serena in California, Venus Williams flew somewhat under the radar to surprise Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the Bank of the West Classic with a 6-4 7-6(1) victory.
Williams rolled back the years as she edged past her fellow former world number one to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open build-up tournament.
A day after Serena grabbed the headlines after returning to court for the first time since this year’s Wimbledon – with a comfortable victory over Karolina Pliskova – Venus booked her spot in the last eight with some flashes of brilliance against Azarenka.
In particular, Williams upped her game at crucial stages of both the first and second sets, breaking the fourth seeded Belarusian in the 10th game of the opener before easing through the tie-breaker in the second.
The mouth-watering prospect of an all-Williams semi-final is still a possibility, with Venus to face eighth-seeded Andrea Petkovic next and Serena playing Ana Ivanovic, the fifth seed, in her third round clash.
Serbian Ivanovic booked her place in the quarters with a 6-1 6-1 breeze against Carol Zhao of Canada, while there were also wins for Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza Blanco in their second round matches.
Stanford Classic results
Second round
Venus Williams (U.S.) beat 4-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 6-4 7-6(1)
5-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) beat Carol Zhao (Canada) 6-1 6-1
3-Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat Coco Vandeweghe (U.S.) 7-6(4) 0-6 6-2
Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 6-4 6-4
