Wimbledon 2017: Venus Williams battles into second round with win over Elise Mertens

Updated 03/07/2017 at 14:45 GMT

Venus Williams battled into the second round of Wimbledon with a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens.

USA’s Venus Williams in action during her first round match against Belgium’s Elise Mertens

Image credit: Reuters

Wimbledon highlights are live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player at 10pm

The tenth seed had to survive a tie-break before clinching the first set in 52 minutes. And she also went down a break in the second set, before reeling off four games on the trot.

A short rain delay interrupted her flow at 5-3 up, but Williams – dressed in controversial attire – kept her concentration when returning to the court and emerged with a 7-6 6-3 win.

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The 37-year-old will now face China’s Qiang Wang, who overcame Kai-Chen Chang 6-3 6-4.

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