Venus Williams rallied from a set down to defeat
Simona Halep 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
in 2.25 hours and reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open
and will face Canada's
Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals.
Williams, making her first appearance in the Tokyo tournament since 2009,
broke serve to go up 5-3 in the second set at Ariake Colosseum and
then won with a crosscourt forehand that Halep hit into the net.
''It was a very tough match,'' Williams said.
''She played very well. I don't know how I was able to win the match.
I just wanted to stay in Japan longer.''
Toray Pan Pacific Open Third round
in 2.25 hours and reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open
and will face Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals.
Williams, making her first appearance in the Tokyo tournament since 2009,
broke serve to go up 5-3 in the second set at Ariake Colosseum and
then won with a crosscourt forehand that Halep hit into the net.
''It was a very tough match,'' Williams said.
''She played very well. I don't know how I was able to win the match.
I just wanted to stay in Japan longer.''