Auckland, Jan. 6 -- Former world No. 1 Venus Williams lost in three sets to Poland's Magda Linette in her opening match at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, showed encouraging signs in her return to competition at the Women's Tennis Association 250 event, which runs from Jan. 2 to 17.
Linette, ranked No. 53 in the world, prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to the second round, where she will face Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
"I thought I could have made fewer mistakes, especially with such a powerful hitter, I need to be a bit more solid," Linette said.
Wildcard entrant Williams, ranked No. 582, said, "I think my opponent, she played amazing. Definitely deserved the win."...