World No 17 Venus Williams who played her first Australian Open in 1998 and turned professional in 1994, the year her opponent was born, came through the near two-hour marathon 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.
“It’s never easy playing the first round,” said the American, who turns 37 this year and is competing in her 73rd Grand Slam, extending her Open-era record.
“I was just trying to find my rhythm. She didn’t make it easy so I’m happy to be through.”
Venus Williams,the seven-time Grand Slam champion — the oldest woman in the draw and seeded 13 at Melbourne Park — battled back in a seesawing first set to take it to a tiebreaker at the Rod Laver Arena.
She narrowly got the upper hand to win it with an ace after a tough 67 minutes in hot conditions, pumping her fist in relief before wrapping herself in an ice towel at the changeover.
The second set was equally tight before Williams got a break to make it 6-5 then wrapped up the match, to the delight of the centre court crowd.
Speaking after the match, Venus said: “Just like every player here, I have put in a ton of work. I’m not coming all the way to Australia for kicks and giggles. I’m here as a competitor.
“I mean, you saw me out there today, the intensity level and what it takes to win in even a first-round match against a player you may not even know. It’s hard work. It’s not easy. That love is there.”
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