Venus stuns with backhand magic in San Jose

Two-time Stanford champion Venus Williams is looking to make her first final of 2018, and the newly relocated Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose could very well be where she does it.

Williams put on quite a show in the second round on Thursday, taking the racquet out of solid defender Heather Watson's hand to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

In the business end of a tight first set, Williams pulled Watson off the court with a big backhand return, and then blasted a backhand winner to break for 6-4.

Watson fought back at 4-4 in the second, though, absorbing several Williams punches that easily could have been point-enders. After forcing Williams to eventually miss, Watson pulled away with the set to even the match.

But, up 2-0 in Set 3, Williams created the Shot of the Day. A magnificent Watson defensive lob had Williams chasing the ball back to the baseline. Watson, meanwhile, was transitioning toward the net for the kill. But Williams batted the ball nearly backward down her backhand sideline to best Watson with an untouchable pass.

Williams subsequently slammed the door on the match by winning the final set 6-0.

In the quarterfinals on Friday, Williams plays 23-year-old Greek player Maria Sakkari. With the withdrawals of Garbine Muguruza and Madison Keys, Williams is the highest-seeded player remaining in the tournament.