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S. Williams through to second round at China Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-04 20:28

BEIJING - Former world number one Serena Williams beat Kaia Kanepi from Estonia 7-5, 6-4 to reach the second round of the China Open WTA/ATP tournament here on Sunday.

The American, who claimed the Australian Open early this season, broke in the eighth game to lead at 5-3 in the opening set but Kanepi, capitalizing on her opponent's double faults, took a break back in the next game, trailing 5-4.

In the 12th game and at 6-5, Williams hit top gear to get three set points and finally converted on the third to take the set at 7- 5.

Kanepi showed battling qualities at the start of the next set, storming to a 3-0 lead while Williams, the current world number two, held her nerve to level the match at 3-3 and never looked back before claiming the set at 6-4.