Top seeds on the march

Lindsay Davenport held her nerve to beat Sidot

Second-seed Lindsay Davenport beat Anne-Gaelle Sidot, of France, 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the Tennis Masters Series at Indian Wells.

Third-seeded Venus Williams and seventh-seeded Serena Williams also advanced to last 16 in the $2.05m tournament.

Davenport had trouble closing out the match and lost her serve at 5-3 in the second set. She put it all together in her next service game and sealed the win.

"She's a difficult player to play against. Anytime you play a lefty, that's always a little bit awkward to return," said Davenport.

"She hits the ball very hard and very low with no spin. Sometimes that's hard to control."

I wasn't playing my best before that time. I guess all that matters is I was able to recover

  Venus Williams

Venus Williams struggled in her match against Cara Black, of Zimbabwe, before prevailing 6-4 3-6 6-0.

"I just really got away from my game plan, basically," said Venus Williams.

"I wasn't playing my best before that time. I guess all that matters is I was able to recover."

Serena Williams breezed to a straight set victory over Gala Leon Garcia, of Spain, 6-3 6-1.

According to the draw, the Williams sisters could face each other in the semifinals.

The sisters have met five times, with Venus leading the series 4-1.

Davenport is also in the same half of the draw and could meet Serena in the quarter-finals and Venus in the semis.