Williams started the match at full power, hitting a forehand swing volley winner to break Peer for 3-0. More winners from Venus including a 125 mile
per hour ace down the tee sealed set one 6-1 after only thirty minutes. "That's the old Venus," someone in the pro-Venus crowd said.
Peer held serve to start set two after Williams hit one of her scarce errors of the match, a mishit forehand which landed wide. After breaking
serve to reach 2-1, Williams walked to her chair giving her father and coach Richard Williams a glance and fist pump. Mr. Williams waved back.
"We get along really good," Williams said of her father. "We have a lot of fun. I've grown up to be pretty much just like him. (He's) been a
major influence in (my) life. That's the way it's supposed to be."
After taking more time than allowed to change rackets, Peer was given a code violation as if she needed more to worry about. At 6-1, 5-1 with
Peer serving one fan commented, "I hope she holds serve so Venus can serve it out." However a Venus Williams forehand down the line winner
decided the match as Williams won with remarkable ease against a very tough opponent.
Williams had rattled off six straight games to close the match, never facing a breakpoint. "It's very exciting," Williams said. "I feel like I know
I can play this kind of tennis. In the first few matches I expected not to maybe be at the very top of my game. I love a challenge to be honest.
It was a wonderful match."
