Venus Williams Off to a Rusty Start in First Match of the Season

Lauren LynchJan 6, 2011

Venus Williams may not be completely out of the injury waters just yet. The former world ranked No. 1 lost to current No. 2 Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday at the Hong Kong Classic exhibition tournament.

After ending her 2010 season early due to a left knee injury, this was her first match since the U.S. Open, and is standing as her only warm-up for the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The two players traded breaks in the second and third games of the first set before the Russian broke to love in the fourth. Zvonareva broke again during the first game of the second set, extending her lead to 5-2 with yet another break. The match was officially called over when Williams’ forehand return landed wide.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion admitted to not being surprised by her on court performance today. Having not played before this match, rustiness was to be expected andWilliams anticipates improvement in her form with more play.

“I haven’t played that many matches in the last six months, so I think it showed a little bit today, but it’s not too unexpected,” Williams said. “I just need to get out there and play points. I don’t feel any pressure right now to play my best tennis. I know my best tennis will come with each and every match.”

In Hong Kong, she will play another singles match and is playing mixed doubles with retired men’s great John McEnroe.

Earlier in the day, American teenager Melanie Oudin was up a set and a break over Maria Kirilenko but ultimately lost 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-0.