Venus Williams gives her critics short shrift after victory

Venus Williams fought back to reach the quarter-finals but the talk after her 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Francesca Schiavone was dominated by the American's apparent lack of underwear, writes Chris Jones.

The sixth seed revealed on her Twitter page that she designed the yellow dress, complete with flesh-coloured shorts, and then claimed surprise that anyone would be intrigued by her choice of clothing.

"I can't tell people to take my game seriously or not," said Williams. "I can't tell people what to write or what to do. I am really not into all that."

Williams had never lost to the 17th-seed Italian in five previous matches but dropped the first set and went a break down in the second. The seven-time Grand Slam champion broke back immediately and then steamrolled her opponent in the last set with confident net play.

"She played really well in the first set and I have to give her credit. She just played really aggressively," said Williams. "She was making her shots, doing everything she needed to do to win the match. But obviously it takes a lot to close out a match like this one."

She now plays China's Li Na in the quarterfinals after the 16th seed upset world No4 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3.

Williams's sister Serena wore a huge bandage on her right thigh but still beat Samantha Stosur, the 13th seed from Australia, 6-4, 6-2. The defending champion conceded only seven points on her serve.

Britain's Laura Robson, who turned 16 last week, took just 36 minutes to defeat Australia's Belinda Woolcock 6-0, 6-1 in the girls first round but then pulled out of the junior doubles with US Open champion Heather Watson because of her success in the senior competition.

Watson and Australia's Sally Peers are through to the fourth round where they will face 15th seeds Russia's Maria Kirilenko and Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1, 6-2 today.