• Madrid Open

Serena struggles to victory in Madrid

Serena Williams had the trainer on court in the third set © Getty Images

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A below-par Serena Williams struggled to victory in the second round of the Madrid Open, eventually overcoming Vera Dushevina 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 7-6(5).

The American, who returned to action last week after a four-month injury lay-off, looked well short of top fitness throughout an epic clash that spanned over three hours.

Nevertheless, the world No.1 remains on course to continue her successes in 2010 - she has reached at least the last four in each of the three competitions she has competed in this year.

Williams entered the match knowing that her chances of winning the tournament had been increased following Justine Henin's first-round defeat. If news of her rival's exit had buoyed her, it was not apparent in the early stages of the contest.

It was a subdued first-set performance from Williams, who became increasingly frustrated as she struggled to find any rhythm in her play. With the American's forehand robbed of its usual potency, Dushevina - who had suffered a resounding loss on their two previous meetings - was able to dictate the bulk of the rallies. It was no surprise, then, that it was the Russian who claimed the first set after dominating the tie-break.

During the second set, Williams was a break up on her opponent on two occasions - but both times she let the advantage slip away. The 28-year-old was not made to pay for her profligacy, however, as she sealed the set on a tie-break after saving a match point.

In the opening trappings of the decider, Williams raced into a 2-0 lead - although there was no sense that this was a deficit that her opponent would find insurmountable. So it proved - Dushevina fought back to tie the scores at 2-2 as Williams, who was in a generous mood, gifted her points with more unforced errors.

In the break between games midway through the final set, the trainer entered the court to attend to Williams. However, despite struggling with impaired movement in the late stages, she showed her mental resilience to close out the victory.

Na Li is into the second round © Getty Images

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No. 4 seed Venus Williams continued her fight to find some form ahead of the French Open with a 7-5 6-3 win over Vera Zvonareva. The American looked much more comfortable under her ball toss than in recent weeks and served five aces as she moved into the next round.

No. 15 seed Francesca Schiavone will join the Williams sisters in the third round after she made short work of Sybille Bammer, winning 6-2 6-1 in 67 minutes. Schiavone is seeking her second clay title of the year, following victory at the Barcelona Ladies Open in April.

In the first round, former world No. 1 Dinara Safina suffered a shock exit at the hands of Czech qualifier Klara Zakopalova. The Russian struggled to find any fluency on her serve and matched that with a series of enforced errors as she went down 7-6(1) 7-6(3).

World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki disposed of Petra Kvitova in comfortable fashion as she progressed to the second round with a 6-4 6-2 win. No. 10 seed Victoria Azarenka lasted just three games - all of which she lost - before retiring against wildcard entrant Shuai Peng.

Nadia Petrova made life hard for herself before eventually overcoming Elena Vesnina 4-6 6-2 6-3. Vesnina was ultimately to pay for her inability to create break opportunities in the latter stages - she forced only one break point in the final two sets - against her fellow Russian.

Flavia Pennetta was given a stern examination by Sorana Cirstea before sealing a 6-1 1-6 6-1 triumph. Romania's Cirstea, who was a beaten semi-finalist at the Estoril Open last week, was made to pay by the Italian for failing to put any menace on her second serves.

There were also wins for Anabel Medina Garrigues, Patty Schnyder, Na Li, Sam Stosur,Arantxa Parra Santonja and Alisa Kleybanova.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.