NEW YORK—Venus Williams strolled into the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a straight-sets blowout of Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko on Saturday, chalking up her third successive victory without breaking sweat.
"I'm definitely at my best now," the seventh seeded Williams boasted after her 56-minute, 6-2 6-1 rout of Bondarenko.
The Wimbledon holder is a double Open champion but has not won the year's final grand slam since 2001. The American said she has added a little spice to her game since arriving at Flushing Meadows a decade ago.
"I understand the game more," she told reporters. "Trying different kinds of shots too, trying to add some variety."
World number one Rafael Nadal also blasted into the fourth round on the men's side, defeating Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-4 6-3 6-0.
Hard-serving 14th seed Ivo Karlovic was beaten 7-6 7-6 6-2 by American Sam Querrey in a mild upset on a humid day at the National Tennis Center.
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time in over a year when she defeated Julie Coin 6-4 6-4, the 188th-ranked Frenchwoman who had earlier stunned top seed Anna Ivanovic.
Four of the top 10 seeds on the women's side have fallen, clearing the way for Williams to make another title run. Williams and her sister Serena are the only two women remaining who have claimed the Open crown.
Moving Forward
Venus, who has dropped only 11 games during her three victories, said she is attacking more these days.
"If I get a chance, I definitely do try to come in, especially a lot more this year," said Venus. "I like it at the net. I just try to play the ball. If it's short, I move in. If I have a chance, I move in.
"I'm thinking about moving forward in every match. That's my mentality."
The seventh seed fired nine aces and had 32 winners to overwhelm Bondarenko in sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium and set up a clash with ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Venus said winning the Wimbledon title helped her calm down.
"Definitely the Wimbledon win helped me a lot to change my mentality, to realize not every thing had to be perfect all the time," the seven-times grand slam single champion said.
"If I don't have a perfect practice, I don't get really upset about the whole tournament. I know I can play. That helps me to relax."
