Wednesday 30 July 2014 08:17, UK
Venus Williams progressed to the second round of the WTA Tour Bank of the West Classic with a 6-3 6-2 win over Poland's Paula Kania on Tuesday.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion smashed seven aces in the 73 minute match but was made to battle after taking a 4-0 lead in the second set, saving five break points in her last two service games.
She will next face world no 10 Victoria Azarenka at the hardcourt event after the fourth seed had a first-round bye.
Williams said: "She was a fighter. She has a diverse game, she can come to the net, she serves pretty well.
"She just kept staying in there, so I was happy to win the match."
Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic is also through to the next round after beating Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (7/2) 6-1.
Ivanovic came from 4-1 down in the first set to win the match and gain revenge for her third-round loss to the German at Wimbledon.
Williams' sister Serena, who exited Wimbledon after struggling with a virus, will face Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday night.
