Venus launches Australian comeback
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Williams: "I feel like definitely I'm still on the rise."
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MELBOURNE, Australia (CNN) -- Venus Williams sounded a warning to women's tennis with a comfortable first round win at the Australian Open.
The American third seed, playing her first match since suffering a stomach muscle strain in last July's Wimbledon final, rolled past rival American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2 6-1.
"It was really just a breath of fresh air," said Williams, who lost to younger sister Serena in last year's final.
"Oh yes, I'm back now. I'm doing good. I feel like definitely I'm still on the rise."
Williams was joined in the second round by Belgian second seed Kim Clijsters, who seemed untroubled by her recent ankle problems in beating Germany's Marlene Weingaertner 6-3 6-2.
But Clijsters admitted the injury was still causing her concern.
"The problem is still there," said the 20-year-old. "The swelling has gone down but the only thing I'm worried about now is to see how it flares up tomorrow after having played this match."
In the men's event, second seed Roger Federer and third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero both enjoyed comfortable starts.
Swiss Wimbledon champion Federer showed his best form in a 6-3 6-4 6-0 win over American Alex Bogomolov.
"Straight sets in the first round is a good start," said Federer.
Spain's Ferrero, the French Open champion, crushed compatriot Albert Montanes 6-0 6-1 6-1.
"You don't like to play against a Spanish guy," said Ferrero. "Of course he's a friend and it is not easy to play a friend. Sometimes this is life."
Home favorite
Former world number one and home favorite Lleyton Hewitt, seeded 13th, also made easy progress when American Cecil Mamiit quit with an ankle injury after running into the umpire's chair. Hewitt led 6-2 6-4 at the time.
Another Australian hopeful, 10th seed Mark Philippoussis, came through his clash with 2002 champion Thomas Johansson 7-6 6-2 7-6, although his victory was overshadowed by the condition of his cousin, who was taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack during the match.
"I didn't know what was going on," said Philippoussis.
"He's unconscious at the moment, but I hope he recovers really quickly. I just wanted to concentrate on my match. I was told as we got off the court."
Britain's Greg Rusedski, who faces a hearing next month after testing positive for banned steroid nandrolone, out in a lackluster performance in losing 6-4 6-3 6-4 to Spanish 32nd seed Albert Costa.
But British 11th seed Tim Henman made short work of French opponent Jean-Rene Lisnard in a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win.
Argentine fifth seed Guillermo Coria became the biggest casualty of the day when he lost 7-6 6-2 6-4 to Frenchman Cyril Saulnier.
In the women's event Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico knocked out Spanish 13th seed Conchita Martinez 7-6 6-1, while Russian sixth seed Anastasia Myskina beat Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden 6-2 7-5 and 12th seed Paola Suarez defeated fellow Argentine Gisela Dulko 6-2 6-2.
