Venus Williams advances at Porsche GP

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Venus Williams made a successful return to the Porsche Grand Prix after 10 years, advancing to the second round by beating Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-1, 6-2 Tuesday.

"She hit some great shots but my experience helped me," said the sixth-seeded Williams, who made it into the second round in 1998 in her only previous appearance in Stuttgart.

Williams needed four set points to close out the first set, committing a double-fault on one. She then broke serve for 1-0 at love to start the second. Up two breaks to lead 4-1, Williams allowed the German one more game and hit a forehand winner on her second match point.

Williams next plays qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko, who rallied to upset 15th-ranked Flavia Pennetta 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.