Venus Williams
/ AP photo
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Five-time champion Venus Williams has won her opening match at Wimbledon, beating Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 6-3, 6-2.
It was Williams' first appearance on Centre Court since the 2008 final, when she beat sister Serena for her second Wimbledon title in a row.
Venus endured several wobbly moments Tuesday as she began her bid for a three-peat. She double-faulted in the opening game, slipped and fell and had to erase two break points. She was passed the first two times she reached the net.
Then Williams found her footing, winning 14 consecutive points to help her take a 5-1 lead. She improved to 51-4 at the All England Club since 2000, when she won the title for the first time.
