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Venus Williams sets up third-round showdown

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No. 25 Venus Williams last played Maria Sharapova in 2009.

No. 25 Venus Williams last played Maria Sharapova in 2009.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams beat Alize Cornet of France 6-3, 6-3 Wednesday to advance to a third-round match against Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open.

The 25th-seeded Williams took advantage of a double-fault on set point by Cornet to take the lead, then fought back from a service break down in the second set to win in 1 hour, 17 minutes.

Sharapova, last year's runner-up, has not dropped a game in posting double-bagel wins over her opponents in the first two rounds, including Misaki Do of Japan on Wednesday.

"Tennis ... is about winning when it's not your best day," said Williams. "I'm playing against Maria. I'm going to have to be at my best against her."

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