U.S. Open - Day 5: Williams sisters reach 4th round in tournament

Serena Williams, the second seed and 11-time Grand Slam tournament champion, overcame an early break in the second set Friday to defeat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, 6-3, 7-5, and advance to the fourth round. Seeking her fourth U.S. Open title, Williams next meets 22nd-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, who defeated American Vania King, 6-2, 6-2.

Photo: U.S. Open - Day 5: Williams sisters reach 4th round in tournament

The men's draw continued to go almost strictly to form. With the third round nearly complete, all the top 16 seeds were in the tournament. Second-seeded Andy Murray dropped a set before quickly righting himself for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over 87th-ranked Paul Capdeville of Chile, reports Detroit Free Press.

At her post-match news conference, Williams wore a T-shirt that said, "Can't Spell Dynasty Without Nasty." But when asked about whether she had lost any respect for Martinez Sanchez, Williams said: "I try to be very professional, extremely professional in my job. That's what I'm here to do -- and win, I hope."

At the end of the match, Williams shook Martinez Sanchez's hand and sweetly smiled. Williams could smile because she had finished things off with an ace and another giant serve that allowed her to pound an unreturnable forehand.

Third-seeded Venus Williams and former No. 1 Kim Clijsters both won to reach an anticipated fourth-round match.

Venus Williams beat 46th-ranked Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-2, 7-5, and Clijsters won an all-Belgian matchup 6-0, 6-2 over Kirsten Flipkens, reports Chicago Tribune.