Venus Marches Toward WTA Championship Qualification at Philadelphia

No. 5 seed Venus Williams took her first step toward qualifying for the year-end WTA Championships Tuesday, defeating American countrywoman and Fed Cup teammate Lisa Raymond in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals.

"This year reminds me kind of my first year on tour," Venus said. "I don't have enough matches under my belt to have my play where I want to be."

While the WTA is not completely sure what the elder Williams sister needs to do to qualify due to the potential "quality points" she can earn depending on the ranking of her opponents, the consensus is Venus must at least reach the final in Philadelphia. Jennifer Capriati, also in the running, has to reach the final while Russian Vera "The Crying Game" Zvonareva must win the Philly title to qualify for the year-end championships.

Other winners on the day were Russian No. 7 seed Nadia Petrova (d. countrywoman Panova 0-and-2), American Meghann Shaughnessy (d. countrywoman McCain in three), Jelena Kostanic (d. Anne "Kosmo" Kremer in three), and Jelena Jankovic (d. Vento-Kabchi 6-1 in the third).

On Wednesday's schedule are Dechy vs. Pisnik, Weingartner vs. Molik, Shaughnessy vs. Capriati in an all-American, and Sharapova vs. Kostanic.