Williams clears first title hurdle

DEFENDING champion Venus Williams launched her bid for Wimbledon singles title number six with a 6-3 6-2 win over Stefanie Voegele yesterday.

The 29-year-old did not have things all her own way against the Swiss player, who was making her debut, but came through safely enough to set up a second-round meeting with Kateryna Bondarenko.

Williams said: “It’s a special moment when you walk back as defending champion on that court, throw those balls up for the first point. It’s a really great feeling.