Venus Williams outlasts Agnieszka Radwanska to reach quarters at the Australian Open

Venus Williams celebrates her win over Agnieszka Radwanska in the fourth round

Melbourne, Jan 26 (IANS)

Former World No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams brought out some vintage form to sail past No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska and reach her first major singles quarter-final since 2010 here Monday. Venus took the first set in 51 minutes. Radwanska retaliated with the second set and a break in the first game of the third set. But veteran Venus brought out an amazing late match revival, reeling off six games in a row to win, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in two hours and five minutes.

No.18-seeded Venus won the match due to her aggression - hitting 43 winners to 36 unforced errors. The No.6-seeded Radwanska had 23 winners to 19 unforced errors.

Venus was asked afterwards what her inspiration has been to keep plugging away all these years.

"Definitely my sister Serena," she replied. "She's just the ultimate champion. She definitely gives me a lot of inspiration. And of course all of my fans, who've always stayed behind me."

Serena is the current No.1 women's singles player. She was then asked to talk through the match, particularly the pivotal first set.

"The first set wasn't easy - it was 6-3, but it was about an hour. In the second set she started playing even better. I think I was a little bit impatient," Venus said.

"In the third set I just went into a little bit of a trance - I just wanted to win so badly. It's the first time both Williams sisters are in a Grand Slam quarter-final since 2010 Wimbledon."