Venus Williams moves into third round at BNP Paribas Open

Indian Wells (US), March 11 (IANS) Eighth seed Venus Williams moves into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open with a straight-set victory over No. 35 Romania's Sorana Cirstea.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion won her opening match on Saturday held at Indian Wells, California, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, and now faces the winner between her younger sister Serena Williams, 36, and No. 29 seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in the next round, reports Xinhua news agency. 

Venus achieved victory behind winning 81 per cent of Cirstea's second service points, leading her to six breaks of serve during the match.

It was Venus' seventh appearance in the California desert, and third since 2001, after an absence of 15 years.

At 37, Venus is the oldest in women's single draw at 2018 Indian Wells.