2017 INDIAN WELLS: Venus Saves 3 MPs In 1st Win Since 2001

Venus Williams won her first match at Indian Wells in over 16 years the hard way. The former World #1 faced another former #1 in Jelena Jankovic. The two have a very close rivalry, with the Serb leading 7-6 in their first 13 meetings, in which all but four have gone to three sets.

Jankovic led this match 6-1 4-1 at the 40 minute mark and for all intents and purposes it looks like the match would be over in under an hour. Then somehow Venus started connecting with her serve and was able to break back and even the second set at 4-all. Then she broke and served for the set at 5-4 but lost serve. Jankovic went up 6-5 and when Venus was serving she went down 15-40 or double match point. Venus saved those match points and another on the way to reaching a tiebreak, in which Jankovic again took an early lead of 4-2 but then lost it on a forehand error 7-5. In the third set Venus went up 4-0 and then the two traded service breaks until Venus served out the win easily at 5-1 to win her first match at the BNP Paribas Open since 2001 1-6 7-6(5) 6-1. The two now have a tied career head-to-head.