Venus makes an emotional comeback
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MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Venus Williams shrugged off a six-month injury layoff to thrash fellow American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Playing her first competitive match since losing to younger sister Serena in last July's Wimbledon final, the third seed strolled to victory in just 51 minutes.
"Oh, yes, I'm back now," declared the former world number one, who will next play Russian Vera Douchevina.
It was an emotional return for Venus in many ways.
Having lost her fourth consecutive grand slam final to Serena at last year's Melbourne Park final, a stomach muscle strain brought Venus's 2003 season to a premature end after Wimbledon.
Injuries aside, the siblings have also had to deal with the death of their sister Yetunde Price, who was shot dead in a Los Angeles suburb last September.
With Serena still recuperating from the knee surgery she underwent in August, Venus has been left to represent the family in Melbourne.
"It was a little bit sentimental for me so I was just concentrating on my performance," said Venus.
"I guess the only way to understand how it feels is to actually have been in the position I was in."
Since capturing four grand slam titles between 2000 and 2001, Venus has been desperately looking for a way to add to her haul.
Although the 23-year-old could have been forgiven for not wanting Serena to come to Australia to defend her title, she says she wishes she was here.
"I miss her, it's not the same without her. We are like bread and butter," she said.
The absence of Serena and the decision by tournament organizers to promote Venus to third seed despite her ranking of 11 has given her great chance of winning her first Australian Open.
Despite her lack of activity in the past six months, Venus is confident she will emerge as an even better player in 2004.
"I've reached a lot of my goals but I think when I get to the point where I have no more goals to reach then I wouldn't have any reason to play. But I don't think I'll ever get there," she said.
"I'm always expecting to get more out of myself so obviously I'd like to get stronger and more consistent. I definitely feel like I'm still on the rise."
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