Venus has to battle in Wimbledon opener

LONDON (Reuters) - Three-times former Wimbledon champion Venus Williams came through a first round fight on Tuesday, dismissing Russian teenager Alla Kudryavtseva 2-6 6-3 7-5.

Williams, her power serve and elegant ground strokes deserting her, at first looked sadly out of sorts on Court Two, known as the graveyard of champions because so many favourites have been beaten there.

Williams lost the first set in less than half an hour.

But Kudryavtseva, making her debut Wimbledon appearance at the age of 19, could not keep up the pressure in a one-sided second set.

The young Russian raced to a 3-1 lead in the deciding set but Williams, seeded only 23rd this year after an injury-hit season, fought back with a decisive break in the 11th game for victory.