Serena Williams scrambles to win over Zvonareva

NEW YORK, Aug Sep 1 (Reuters) Twice former champion Serena Williams was pushed hard for the third successive match as she battled past Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-4 7-6 to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open.

The eighth-seeded American, bidding for her ninth grand slam title, turned in another patchy performance and needed one hour, 59 minutes to set up a match with Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli of France yesterday.

Zvonareva had not played since April because of a left wrist injury but matched Williams from the baseline only for the American to snatch the opening set by the odd break.

The Russian, a quarter-finalist in 2003, led by a break early in the second but Williams fought back and won the second-set tiebreak 7-4 to reach the last 16.

Reuters BJR VP0510