PA Media/dpa
sydney
Venus Williams won her first WTA Tour match for nearly two years with victory over Katie Volynets in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
The 42-year-old, who first won a main tour match in 1994, opted against following younger sister Serena into retirement and made a winning start to 2023 by seeing off fellow American Volynets 7-6 (4), 6-2.
It ended a nine-match losing streak on the tour for Williams dating back to the Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne in January 2021. Her only match victories in that time came at grand slam level, with Williams reaching the second round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon the same year - she lost all four matches she contested last year.
Williams next faces China’s Zhu Lin, who defeated Madison Brengle. Fifteen-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova was beaten 6-1, 6-1 by third seed Leylah Fernandez but another young Czech made her mark, with Linda Noskova defeating third seed Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3 at the Adelaide International.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams overcame a player less than half her age on Monday in a vintage performance in the first round of the Auckland Classic.
The former world No.1 is using this week to prepare for her 25th tilt at the Australian Open, having accepted a wildcard entry to the tournaments in Auckland and Melbourne.
She admitted the stoppage worked in her favour although it didn’t feel that way at the time.
“It’s hard when you’re all fired up and just suddenly you have to stop,” said Williams, whose previous match was a first-round loss at the US Open.
“I was so mad on the rain break. My coach could barely talk to me so I’m going to try to improve my attitude.”
Williams has slipped outside the top 1,000 in the rankings but she showcased glimpses of her former class - and some creditable fitness - during the second set against 114th-ranked qualifier Volynets.
The tournament is being staged for the first time in three years, with the 2020 edition having been won by retired great Serena Williams -- Venus’ younger sister.
