Venus dodges first-round shock
Venus Williams avoided a shock in the Australian Open to beat Spanish qualifier Maria Martinez.
Williams lost the second set to the 18-year-old Martinez, who was playing in her first grand slam tournament.
But third seed Williams put the youngster back in her place by running away with the third set to win 6-3 2-6 6-0.
The 152-ranked Martinez did enough to mark herself down as one to watch in the months and years to come - and Williams, Wimbledon and US Open champion and Olympic gold medallist, was thankful for the work-out.
"Sure it was hard, but it was a good day," she said. "I played a really good player with a lot of heart and I beat her to love in the third set.
"I didn't know her at all. I made a few mistakes in the second set and I didn't think I was playing my top form throughout the match, but it's a good thing to have a test in the first round."
Williams' sister Serena had it much easier, overcoming Taipei's Janet Lee 6-1 6-4.
