New Delhi, Jan 19 : Eighth seed Venus Williams survived her toughest test at the Australian Open to beat Sania Mirza 7-6 6-4 and reach the fourth round today.

Sania put up a brave fight in the first set, making Williams sweat for every point.

Sania produced a superb performance, but Williams eventually wore her down to reach the last 16 and will next meet Li Na of China or Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska.

Sania made an excellent start by snatching an early break, but the Wimbledon champion broke back and played a flawless tiebreak, winning it 7-0.

Sania put up a brave fight in the first set, making the Williams sweat for every point.

The 20-year-old Indian had earlier defeated Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland on Thursday in the second round in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to make it to the third round.

ANI