(Business Standard) – Former champions Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams advanced to the second round at the US Open along with second-seeded Simona Halep, fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki.
2006 U.S. Open champ trailed 2-4 in the opening set, then ripped off 10 straight games to complete her straight set 6-4, 6-0 triumph against fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko. The fifth seed missed the 2013 U.S. Open with a shoulder injury and has not been to the final at Flushing Meadows since winning the title eight years ago.
Sharapova, who improved to 17-0 in night matches at the U.S. Open, said that she was happy that she was able to step it up and play well, Fox News reported.
Venus rallied came from a set behind to beat 43-year-old Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. The American claimed two of her seven Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open, winning it in 2000 and 2001 while also finishing as runner-up in 1997 and 2002.