Venus wins first match in Warsaw
3rd May 2006
Venus Williams won her first match of 2006 after defeating 15-year-old Urszula Radwanska, a teenager from Poland, in the opening match of the J&S Cup in Warsaw. The American seventh seed advanced to the second round after winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday. Williams only played at the Australian Open this season, where she lost in the first round. The five times Grand Slam champion stayed away from the courts after she picked up an elbow injury.
“I did rehab and tried to get better the best I could. I wasn’t playing 100% and I didn’t want to come back until I knew I could do that,” Williams said.
“It is important for me to improve and get a rhythm and start dominating.”
The 2004 Warsaw champion Williams will be meeting Martina Hingis in the second round and she is looking forward meeting her old rival again. Hingis is leading the head-to-head 10-9 against the oldest of the Williams sisters. Williams won their last two matchups in 2001 and 2002.
“We both like to dictate and control the point, even though we have different styles. I guess it will be like old times. She’s had a great year so far, just living her dreams.
“I think everybody is happy for her, and I am happy for here. It should be a very good match tomorrow.”
Belgian Kim Clijsters had no problems getting to the next round. The top seed defeated Julia Vakulenko 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the J&S Cup after a bye in the first round.
Elena Dementieva of Russia defeated Tatiana Perebiynis of Ukraine. The third seed had an easy day at the office and won 6-2, 6-0.
Czech Klara Koukalova was upset by Agnieszka Radwanska, Urszula’s older sister. The 17-year-old Polish wild card player won her match 6-1 and 6-2. She will now meet Dementieva in the next round on Friday.
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