Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams advanced to the third round at Melbourne Park with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Stefanie Voegele. The power and placement and the court craft of Williams forced Voegele to make 26 errors and to top it up herself made another 22 unforced ones.

Her win over the 26-year-old Swiss, ranked 112th in the world took her 83 minutes and has now set up a third round meeting with Duan Yingying.

Injury restricts Venus Williams’ play

Williams told reporters in a post match interview that she was really disappointed about not participating in the tournament in New Zealand. Her quest to play both events at the Australian Open dealt a blow as she could not participate in the women’s doubles event. But, for the time she just needs to keep herself fit and going.

The American, over her over two decade long career has played with the best of the best. And, she could always compete at the highest level. You could see it; you know it is that of a champion. The movement, the modus operandi, the manoeuvres, and the oh-so-clever traps, are remnants of the champion she was. However, as you see it, you know it is a step or two slow than what it is supposed to be. And, that could make all the difference between winning the match and losing it.

She is making her 17th appearance down-under, where she reached the final way back in 2003. The 13th seed was knocked out in the first round last year losing to Britain’s Johanna Konta and has already bettered her performance with a hard fought victory in the first round against K. Kozlova and a rather comfortable one in the second round against Voegele.

Oldest in the draw, retirement looming around?

The 36-year-old, Venus Williams is the oldest player in the women’s singles. She is currently playing her 73rd grand slam, which is an open era record. The one major change that has been and which is also expected is that her pace has dropped or it could be said that the others are faster than her. You could choose to believe it as you like. But the fact remains that she is just not as quick as her competitors in today’s time.

However, she still manages a fairly decent showing at each of the tournament. That could be credited to her many talents and her impeccable technique. The same also becomes the weak-link in her game when she is challenged by a player with similar calibre and better speed.  

Speaking at the post match interview, she said, “This is the big leagues, we get out here and it’s all focus but at the end, you have a moment to enjoy the crowd. I love it, I got to be honest, it’s true love.”

Williams is wary of questions about her age, and retirement. It was back in 2008 when she last won a grand slam, and that is a very long time ago in the world of tennis. Thus, making the question about her retirement ever so inevitable. But, being a sportsperson it is difficult to stay away from the sport unless her body completely rejects it. She would continue till she can.