Venus Advances to Memphis Quarters

MEMPHIS, TN, USA - Venus Williams was in fine form in her second match back Tuesday, dispatching Caroline Wozniacki, 64 64, to advance to the last eight of the $175,000 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships & The Cellular South Cup. Shahar Peer was among the first round winners.

Williams made her return from a four-month left wrist injury lay-off on Monday night with a three set win over Japan's Akiko Morigami; on Tuesday she was more impressive but not without some early struggles, rallying back from a 4-2 first set deficit en route to the two set win over the Dutch teenager.

"I am starting to play the tighter points better now, and as I play more matches I can feel myself getting into better shape," said Williams, who converted on six of nine break point chances and served up seven aces to only two double faults. "The wrist is fine. I feel excited about my opportunity in the quarterfinals."

With her two wins so far this week, Williams is now 20-0 at the Tier III level. She has won all four of her prior Tier III starts, at 1998 Oklahoma City (5-0), 1999 Oklahoma City (5-0), 2002 Gold Coast (4-0) and lastly 2005 Istanbul (4-0). She hasn't been knocking down tin cans, either; she has had some solid wins en route to these titles, including beating a No.2-ranked Davenport in the 1998 Oklahoma City semifinals and a No.7-ranked Henin in the 2002 Gold Coast final match.

In the only other second round match contested Tuesday, Meilen Tu cruised past No.8 seed Jill Craybas, 63 61, in a battle between a pair of American veterans.

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