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Tennis legend Venus Williams received her first tour-level match since Wimbledon in 2021 by beating Katie Volynets 7-6 (4), 6-2 within the first spherical on the ASB Classic on Monday. The former No. 1, at the moment No. 1007 within the rankings, is making ready to compete in her twenty second Australian Open later this month.
Her earlier match was a first-round loss on the US Open, however Williams was completely happy to return to the court docket, particularly on this explicit New Zealand location.
“This is considered one of my favourite locations to return and I used to be so excited that I made it right here,” she mentioned in her on-court interview. “I bear in mind final event that was right here, Serena (Williams) received. I bear in mind watching from dwelling, holding on to my seat.”
The occasion Williams was referring to was in 2020 and had change into her sister’s first title for the reason that 2017 Australian Open. Although probabilities of a return are “very excessive,” Serena introduced final 12 months that she was strolling away from aggressive tennis. However, Venus is not able to stroll away from the game simply but.
Volynets was main in the course of the first-set tiebreak when there was a rain delay. Venus shook off any distractions and ended the evening with the straight set victory. The veteran admitted that delays can have an effect on gamers, even these as skilled as her.
“It’s exhausting once you’re all fired up and simply instantly you need to cease,” Williams advised the media. “I used to be so mad on the rain break. My coach might barely discuss to me so I’m going to attempt to enhance my perspective.”
Williams, who had a wild card entry, is transferring on to face China’s Zhu Lin in Tuesday’s spherical of 16. Zhu Lin made it there after upsetting the No. 6 seed Madison Brengle 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 within the first spherical.
