Tennis: Azarenka defeats Venus in Rome opener

US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka overcame Venus Williams in a battle between former world number one players in the first round at the Italian Open in Rome. The Belarusian was able to clinch the win in two long sets, despite Williams having a 6-2 head-to-head lead coming into the match. In the second round, Azarenka will have to face another Grand Slam champion: third seed Sofia Kenin of the United States.