Williams claims convincing win on return

Venus Williams marked her return to competitive action for the first time in over six months with a straight-sets win over Kimiko Date-Krumm in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Williams, who had not played since being knocked out of the second round of last year’s US Open by Sabine Lisicki due to illness, required just one hour and 17 minutes to record a 6-0 6-3 victory over her 41-year-old Japanese opponent.