Venus in first-round stroll

Venus Williams made a triumphant start to Wimbledon by sweeping aside Akgul Amanmuradova 6-3 6-1 in their first-round showdown on Court Two.

Five-time champion Williams was in full cry as she bludgeoned the world number 97 from Uzbekistan into submission with a typically powerful display.

Amanmuradova offered spirited resistance in the first set against the number 23 seed, who is playing only her second tournament since withdrawing from the Australian Open with a hip injury.

But Williams was always in full control and improved as the match progressed, shaking off the rust against an opponent standing two inches taller than her, at 6ft 3ins.

Having kept Amanmuradova waiting for the toss, Williams made a blistering start by producing an unstoppable opening service game.

A deft drop shot outsmarted the American in the second game and Amanmuradova held her own in the third with some aggressive play at the net before eventually being overwhelmed.

The 26-year-old underdog was broken in the fourth game when meekly returning into the net, but continued to show flashes of brilliance, among them a wonderful passing shot.

Williams, sporting a sleeveless lacy outfit with a split down the back, produced a brilliant backhand winner that hugged the line to underline her class.

The 31-year-old was undone by a super backhand herself in the ninth but secured set point with a her third ace, which Amanmuradova returned into the net.

Williams’ superiority showed no sign of waning early in the second set as she broke in the third game.

The Florida resident completed her second love game as her service found its mark with unerring efficiency and she broke once again in the fifth when her opponent found the net.

The fight was slipping from Amanmuradova, whose cause was not helped by two double faults in quick succession.

Williams was encountering minimal resistance, failing to drop a point in the sixth and producing a ferocious drive in the seventh that forced Amanmuradova, exposed at the net, to turn away in fear.

Three match points followed in the same game but she only needed the first, outmanoeuvring her opponent to complete the victory.