Venus sees off Wozniacki but rain prevails

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:58

Both are using the annual exhibition event as preparation for the first grand slam of the year, but were frustratingly able to play just one set at Victoria Park due to a four-hour rain delay as Williams prevailed 6-4 in 50 entertaining minutes.

After the duo shared early beaks, Williams crucially broke the 19-year-old world number four for a 4-3 lead before recovering from 0-30 to serve out the match despite 13 unforced errors.

“It is nice to be hitting the ball so good against a competitive player who is so tough and hits the ball so well,” said 29-year-old Williams, who owns a 4-0 career record against the Dane.

“Overall, I am feeling good. Practice is so different than a match, in a match you have to focus on executing.”

Williams lost to world number 14 Maria Sharapova in another exhibition in Thailand last week and was frustrated with the lack of match practice against Wozniacki, but was cautious of picking up an injury at the start of the season.

“After being off for two months I am just getting back into the swing of things and playing matches,” added Williams, who landed two WTA titles last year.

“I am feeling back in the swing of things and it was good to serve the set out and to come back from a break down, so it was good to have those experiences this early.”

Earlier, world number seven Victoria Azarenka overpowered Argentina’s Gisela Dulko 6-1 in just 22 minutes in another rain-affected contest.

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