Venus Williams brushes past Louisa Chirico to reach third round of French Open

Venus Williams has reached the third round of the French Open for the first time in six years thanks to a straight-sets victory over fellow American Louisa Chirico.

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The seven-time major champion, seeded ninth in Paris, overpowered her 20-year-old compatriot 6-2, 6-1 in 54 minutes at Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Williams, who turns 36 next month, missed the Roland Garros tournament in 2011 and went out in the first or second round every year between 2012 and 2015.

Her victory came right after younger sister Serena won her second-round match against Teliana Pereira by the same score and on the same court earlier in the day.

The two siblings could potentially face each other in the semi-finals of the tournament.