By IANS
San Diego (Calfornia) : Wimbledon champion Venus Williams warmed up for the US Open at the end of August, with a comfortable first-round victory over Russia's Anastasia Rodionova at the WTA San Diego Classic.
The American returned to the event she had dominated between 2000 and 2002, for the first time in five years Monday, reports the WTA Tour website.
A 6-3, 6-0 victory over Rodionova took the four-time Wimbledon champion's win-loss record to 26-4 at the tournament and was her 15th successive victory at the event.
Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn will, meanwhile, take on top-seed and defending champion Maria Sharapova in the second round, after her 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over American Laura Granville.
Second seed Jelena Jankovic will face Vania King, after her triumph over America's Asia Muhammed 7-6 (7-2), 6-0.
Russia's Elena Dementieva knocked out Catalina Castano 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, while Switzerland's Patty Schnyder beat American Jamea Jackson 6-2, 6-1.
Seventh seed Martina Hingis received a bye.