Venus rises into quarter finals

Venus Williams turned back the clock with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Germany's Mona Barthel in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday and set up a quarter-final against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The 36-year-old Williams raced out to a 3-0 lead but Barthel fought back with the American having trouble with her ball toss at the northern end of the court as she looked directly into the sun.

Barthel broke twice to give her the opportunity at 4-3 to get back on serve but Williams capitalised on the German also having trouble with the sun to break back then served out from the Yarra River end to clinch the first set in 42 minutes.

The second set went on serve until the 11th game when Williams broke for the first time in the set, then, despite serving from the northern end, clinched victory in 96 minutes.

"I think I was born to play this game. I really do. I think this was my calling, because I grew so big and so tall. I was meant to do this," she said after her defeat of Mona Barthel.

"She played well today, so many balls came back, and I was really challenged to play my best tennis. I know what it's like to be down on your luck, but she knows how to play tennis. I wish her the best for the rest of the year."

- Reuters