Venus Williams has defeated Andrea Petkovic in round one of the women's singles at the AEGON International.
The American beat the eighth seed and world No.11 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in her first match back on the tour since she retired against Petkovic at the Australian Open earlier this year.
"I'm competing pretty well," said Williams, who is now ranked 33 in the world, "My serves are reliable. Today was conservative for me but I was able to step it up on the big points."
In a tight match the first two sets were reversed and then one break was enough for Williams in the third, despite wasting three match points at 5-3, 40-0.
"Conditions were pretty tough with the wind," continued the American, "The courts were so fast. But it's been a real blessing to be in this tournament and I'm now extremely excited I'll be able to play another match."
Venus will play either Julia Goerges or Ana Ivanovic in round two. Serena Williams will be in round one action on Tuesday against Tsvetana Pironkova, the Bulgarian who beat Venus in the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year.
In other news on day three there was disappointment for Anne Keothavong who fell in the final round of qualifying, beaten 7-5, 6-1 by Mirjana Lucic, having already played and won her second qualifying round only a few hours before.
"I played a good match this morning," reflected the British No.3, "Then the wind picked up this afternoon and she [Lucic] played well. She hit through the wind better than me.
"I didn't serve as well [as the first match], and wasn't sharp enough. Still, I've had two good wins in the tournament which gives me a bit of confidence going into Wimbledon."
