US Open: Venus Williams comes through epic tussle while Naomi Broady beats Laura Robson

ByToby Keel

Updated 31/08/2016 at 06:32 GMT

Venus Williams won her 18th first-round match at the US Open, but not without a huge struggle, while Naomi Broady beat Laura Robson.

Up against Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine, Venus looked in charge early on as she claimed the first set.

But Kozlova fought back into the match, claiming the second from a break down to shake up the former champion.

Into the third set, both players traded blows, and Kozlova even broke Williams as she served for the match.

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Venus broke back immediately, however, to close out her 77th match on Arthur Ashe Court - and one of her most dramatic.

The 37-year-old is 18-0 in first-round matches at Flushing Meadows now, one behind all-time leader Chris Evert.

"Nice," she said, laughing, when the statistic was relayed to her during an on-court interview. "I'm grateful for that record."

Laura Robson's injury revival is over for now after she lost to Naomi Broady in the US Open's Battle of Britain first round.

Naomi Broady of Great Britain returns to Laura Robson of Great Britain

Image credit: Reuters

Robson was looking to extend an eight-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows but her compatriot Broady came from behind to seal a gutsy 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-4 victory.

Broady will now face world No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska after sealing only her second-ever win at a Grand Slam.

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