Australian Open - - Venus Williams Confirmend Her Berth in Quarter Finals; Outclassed Italian Francesca Schiavone

Melbourne, Australia - Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams outlasted Italian Francesca Schiavone on Monday to secure her spot in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Williams, the No. 6 seed, battled back after dropping the first set to take down 17th-seeded Schiavone 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in just under two hours at Rod Laver Arena.

The third set started with an exchange of service breaks. However, it was all Williams from that point on. Williams broke the Italian's serve in the fourth and six games before closing the match out on her own serve.

"She played really well in the first set," Williams said. "I have to give her credit. She just played really aggressively. She was making her shots, doing everything she needed to do to win the match. Obviously it takes a lot to close out a match, especially on an important match like that one. I was able just to get some footing back in and start to execute the way I wanted to."

With the victory, Williams has made it to at least the quarters here seven times during her career. She was runner-up in 2003 and made it to the semis in '01.

There has been an American woman in the Australian Open quarterfinals every year since 1977.

The 29-year-old Schiavone has never made it past the fourth round in Melbourne. She has made it to the quarters in all the other three majors.

Venus' younger sister, Serena, plays 13th-seeded Samantha Stosur later on Monday. Top-seeded and defending champion Serena could face Venus in the semis.

Next up for Venus will be 16th seed Li Na of China. She topped fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, 6-4, 6-3. The quarterfinal appearance equals a career-best at a Grand Slam event for Li, who beat Venus in the quarterfinals at the 2008 Olympics.

"I don't really remember because it was one and a half years already," Li said. "It was good experience for me, for my tennis, also. But I just want to forget, because I will play her again. I didn't want to think about the last match. I want to look forward."

Also Monday, Victoria Azarenka, the No. 7 seed from Belarus, faces ninth- seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva.