Venus Williams remains on course to meet Serena in quarters
A 6-3 6-4 victory for Venus Williams against Belinda Bencic sees her into the fourth round of the US Open.
Venus Williams remains on course for a quarter-final clash with sister Serena after beating Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4 in the US Open third round.
One break was enough for Williams to clinch the opening set before she showed her class to come from behind in the second and wrap up the win in emphatic fashion.
Bencic has come a long way since losing 6-3 6-1 to Williams in her first match on tour in 2012, but the first set had an air of familiarity about it.
The pair exchanged service games early on before Williams stepped up a gear to force three break points in the sixth.
The Swiss rode out that storm but lost to love on her next serve as Williams' late surge gave her the advantage.
Bencic - under fire for her outburst against a line judge on Wednesday - showed great composure to initially put herself back in contention in the second set, although she did have to survive three break points in the opening game.
The world number 12 eventually appeared to take control of the set by moving into a 3-1 lead, but events would soon take a downward turn for the 18-year-old.
Bencic won the next game but subsequently lost five on the bounce to surrender victory to Williams, who faces the winner of the match between Madison Brengle and Anett Kontaveit in the next round.