Angelique Kerber beat Venus Williams in three sets to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Kerber won the third set 7-5, winning on a Williams unforced error into the net.

Williams dropped the first set 6-2. She struggled to get in a rhythm, double faulting five times. In the second set, the two-time U.S. Open champion was down 2-0, but came back to win 7-5 in a gusty fashion.

In the third set, Williams stormed out to a 4-2 lead, but a surging Kerber battled back to tie the set at 4-4. Kerber stayed in the match, persevering through several long rallies and a pro-Williams crowd and eventually secured a third round berth, winning the set 7-5.

Williams had 43 winners to Kerber's 20, but Williams hurt herself by committing 60 unforced errors. Kerber faces Russia's Olga Puchkova in the third round.

For all U.S. scores and updates, check out USOpen.org.

To stay updated with the 2012 U.S. Open, follow this StoryStream. For all things tennis, head to SB Nation's Tennis hub.