Venus Williams Back With A Win

Venus Williams returned to action yesterday with a win over Andrea Petkovic - but she need three sets.

Venus has been out of action since the Australian Open, where she retired against Petkovic, with a hip injury.

The first two sets were close affairs as Williams took the opener, only for Petkovic to hit back in the second.

But the five time Wimbledon champion upped her game in the third set to seal a 7-5 5-7 6-3 victory.

Speaking to reporters after the match Williams said: "It was definitely an adventure today.

"Falling down every other point, coming back from such a long layoff, competing against someone who's been playing so well in the last 12 months."

"I was extremely excited to come back with the win. More than anything, I was just really extremely excited to have the opportunity to play another match."

Williams will now play Ana Ivanovic in the second round as the former French Open champion came through 6-4 6-3.

There was a good win for Sam Stosur as she dropped just five games in her opening match - seeing of Nadia Petrova 6-1 6-4.

Victoria Azarenka, who is the third seed at Eastbourne, was also through as she saw off Peng Shuai 604 7-6 (7-2).

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw