INDIAN WELLS, the United States, March 10 (Xinhua) -- No. 8 seed Venus Williams moves into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday afternoon with a straight-set victory over No. 35 Romania's Sorana Cirstea.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion won her opening match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, and now faces the winner between her younger sister Serena Williams, 36, and No. 29 seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in the next round.

Venus achieved victory behind winning 81 percent of Cirstea's second service points, leading her to six breaks of serve during the match.

It was Venus' seventh appearance in the California desert, and third since 2001, after an absence of 15 years.

At 37 years old, Venus is the oldest in women's single draw at 2018 Indian Wells.