Venus Williams advances at Australian Open

Published 10:52 pm Monday, January 19, 2009

MELBOURNE, Australia — Reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams is through to the second round of the Australian Open.

Williams beat Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 6-3 Tuesday, coming from 3-1 down in the second set to win five straight games and the match.

She joins sister Serena, a three-time Australian Open champion, in the second round. The Williams sisters could meet in the semifinals.