Venus gets back to winning ways on Tour

Venus Williams made quick work of her first WTA Tour singles match since winning Wimbledon, cruising into the semi-finals at the Bank of the West Classic with a 6-3 6-2 triumph over lucky loser Sania Mirza of India.

Second seed Williams, a two-time winner here, had not played a tour match since saving a match point in a 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 9-7 triumph over fellow American Lindsay Davenport in the Wimbledon final on July 2.

It was the fifth grand slam title but first in nearly four years for Williams, who went 1-1 in the United States’ loss to Russia in the Fed Cup semi-finals the following week.

The US were without Davenport, who suffered a back injury against Williams in the Wimbledon final but is the top seed at this hardcourt tournament.