Venus Williams Advances In US Open

(NewsCore) - World No. 3 Venus Williams survived a tough outing in her fourth round U.S. Open match against Shahar Peer Sunday, eventually pushing her way through to the quarter-finals with a 7-6 6-3 victory.

While her red-glittered tennis dress -- which she coined her ’New York fireworks outfit’ -- sparkled, Williams was dim on Arthur Ashe court against an opponent she had beaten five times previously, converting only five of 13 break points.

Williams -- watched by three-time U.S. Open champion and younger sister Serena -- did not play a single tournament in between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year due to sore knees.

’I’m still going to play my best game,’ the former champion had said before entering the court. ’Not really thinking about the leg, thinking about the tennis.’

The last American woman left in the draw, Williams is also the last woman to win back-to-back titles at the N.Y. tournament, claiming trophies in 2000 and 2001.

Williams will face fifth-seeded and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final matchup against defending champion Kim Clijsters.