Tennis: Venus Williams beats Andrea Petkovic in the first round of Indian Wells

Former world number one Venus Williams beat Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 in the first round of Indian Wells on Thursday. It was the fifth encounter between both players with the American taking the victory for a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head after one hour and 45 minutes. Both players exchanged a total of six breaks in the match, but it was Venus who prevailed after conceding just one break in the deciding set to take the victory with her second match point. Williams, who has reached Indian Wells semi-finals three times, now faces third-seed and 2019 Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova in the second round.