WASHINGTON, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Three-time champion and No.8 seed Venus Williams of the United States survived a grueling battle in the third round of the Miami Open on Sunday, fending off three match points before ultimately prevailing over No.29 seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands at 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

"It was a very interesting match," Williams said afterwards. "I just tried to hang in there, it was really not that much fun for that to happen, but that's tennis."

The seven-time Grand Slam champion led 5-0 in the first set before the Dutchwoman reeled off seven straight games to take a one-set lead. But Williams fought hard, claiming the second set and rallying from 1-4 down in the final set to win the marathon match in just under three hours.

Williams moves into the fourth round of the elite event for the fifteenth time in her illustrious career, where she will face defending champion Johanna Konta of Britain in the round of 16. Konta rolled over Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1 in an earlier match.

"Konta totally seems on form, and both of us will be eager to advance, so I'll do my best," said Williams.