Venus Williams makes winning return at Auckland Classic

Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams beat a player less than half her age on Saturday in a vintage performance in the first round of the Auckland Classic.

Playing his first match in four months, the 42-year-old unearthed some of his trademark power to notch his first win in more than a year, adding another footnote to his professional career that has been extended to the 27th season.

An hour-long rain interruption worked for Williams, as she continued her style to beat fellow American Katie Volynets 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

Volynets, who turned 21 on New Year’s Eve, had led in the first set tiebreaker when play was suspended but he faded in a match that stretched into the afternoon.

The former world No.1 is using this week to prepare for his 25th tilt at the Australian Open, after receiving wildcard entries for tournaments in Auckland and Melbourne.

Name: Venus Williams 👋

Occupation: Very durable 👑 @Venuswilliams | #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/G41hO98XfQ

— wta (@WTA) January 2, 2023

He admitted that the stoppage suited him even though it didn’t seem like it at the time.

“It’s hard when you’re on fire and all of a sudden you have to stop,” said Williams, whose previous match she lost in the first round at the US Open.

“I get really angry in the rain. My coach can hardly talk to me, so I will try to improve my attitude.

Williams has fallen out of the top 1,000 in the rankings, but she showed glimpses of her former class – and some credible fitness – during the second set against 114th-ranked qualifiers Volynets.

The tournament is being held for the first time in three years, with the 2020 edition having been won by retired Serena Williams – sister of Venus.

Williams will face China’s Zhu Lin in the second round, after she defeated American sixth seed Madison Brengle 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.

Canadian third seed Leylah Fernandez won quickly, dropping just 14 points in a 6-1, 6-1 loss to 15-year-old Czech wildcard Brenda Fruhvirtova.

Coco Gauff, the top seed in America and the world, opened the campaign on Tuesday.

Also in action are three former Grand Slam champions – Briton Emma Raducanu and US pair Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin.

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