Venus Williams advances to fourth round

           There's been a lot of conjecture recently that Venus Williams, at age 30, is starting to think about hanging up her tennis shoes.

          Williams, however, didn't look like anyone on the verge of retirement tonight. With sister Serena Williams watching from the stands in a bright red cocktail dress, Venus took just an hour and 14 minutes to dispense with qualifier Mandy Minella, 6-1, 6-2.

       The No. 3-seeded Williams reached the fourth round for the 12th time in 12 trips to Flushing Meadows.

       Venus was the winner here in 2000 and 2001. She got to the finals in 2002. But hasn't been past the semifinals since then.   With Serena sidelined with a foot injury, Serena, the No. 3 seed, has an opening to get to the finals this year.

       The biggest concern is her knee, which really hasn't been tested so far in the tournament.  Venus hasn't played  since Wimbledon because of a knee injury.

Barbara Barker, aka meanbarb on twitter