VENUS Williams survived a match point against Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova of the Czech Republic on her way to booking a place in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open.

Williams looked set for a routine win early in the third set, pulling away to a 5-3 lead before Zahlavova-Strycova fought back, winning three straight games to go up 6-5, and in that game she brought up a match point with Williams serving at 30-40.

But Williams summoned one last burst of energy, winning three points in a row before sneaking out a tie-break to finish Zahlavova-Strycova off, 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-5).

The Czech player attempted to stare down Venus at the ritual exchange of limp handshakes at the net and Venus was not impressed (click on the bottom right hand of the Vine for volume).

Venus: Was that look for something?

Barbora: Well done?

Venus: Okay, good.

H/T ForTheWin