New York: Three-time champion Serena Williams said on Thursday she would turn her concern over sister Venus's illness into motivation at the US Open after pounding her way into the third round of the year's last grand slam.
Williams crushed Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-0 6-1, losing just three games total at Flushing Meadows so far, the day after twice champion Venus withdrew because of symptoms from the autoimmune disease she suffers from.
"She wants me to do the best. She wouldn't want me to suffer," 13-time grand slam winner Serena said.
"So now, if anything, it should motivate me more."
Venus, 31, revealed on Wednesday she had Sjogren's Syndrome, a chronic disease where white blood cells attack moisture-producing glands and can cause dysfunction of organs and body systems.
The five-time Wimbledon champion told ABC's Good Morning America television programme on Thursday that she had trouble with stamina, had swelling, numbness and fatigue, but was confident she could get back on the court.
Serena, 29, said "all I can do is just pray," before adding that just knowing what was sapping her energy was a key step forward for her sister.
"I know she's a fighter and she's really strong. She's great. I think she's really happy now that she knows what it is after all this time." Serena has had to cope with serious health worries herself.
Last year after winning her fourth Wimbledon singles crown, she cut her foot after stepping on glass at a restaurant in Germany. The injury led to health complications, surgery and a potentially fatal blood clot on her lung.
"Okay, I had a blood clot or had surgery. Thank God I don't have this other disease. Things can always be so much worse."
Love all: Serena's advice to Wozniacki on dating
World number one Caroline Wozniacki might have been better off asking Serena Williams about how to win the biggest tournaments instead of seeking guidance about relationships.
World number one Wozniacki, who has won 18 career titles including six this season but is still seeking her maiden grand slam victory, had the ear of the 29-year-old, 13-time major winner, but might have wasted the opportunity.
The 21-year-old Dane, who is dating US Open golf champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, asked Williams about her love life. "I hope she didn't listen," Williams admitted to reporters after her second-round Open win on Thursday.
"I told her never look through the guy's phone. That is the worst thing you can do. I told her most relationships end. "It wasn't very good advice."
Wozniacki, who walloped unseeded Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-2 6-0 to advance to the third round, said it was all in good fun.
