Venus survives tough test from Indian Mirza

MIAMI (Reuters) - Second seed Venus Williams needed three sets to beat battling Indian Sania Mirza 6-1 3-6 6-2 in the second round of the Family Circle Cup on Wednesday.

After dominating the opening set, American Williams found herself in trouble in the second with the 100th-ranked Indian producing some great defence to save 10 out of 11 break points while breaking the American twice herself.

There was a surprise in the all-Ukrainian clash between 11th seed Alona Bondarenko and lower ranked Viktoriya Kutuzova, who ran out the 6-4 7-5 winner.

Russian Anastasia Rodionova beat American 12th seed Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-2 6-4 to go through to the third round.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)