Venus Williams advances in Rome

Venus Williams won her first match in a month in defeating Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-2 at the Italian Open today, while defending champion Dinara Safina lost her opener.



Safina, playing only her second tournament since the Australian Open because of back problems, lost to Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 at the Foro Italico.



Williams had been sidelined with a knee problem since losing the Key Biscayne final. But the fourth-seeded American was in control against Schnyder, breaking the Swiss veteran six times.



In other results, two-time former champion Jelena Jankovic defeated Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, eighth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska beat Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-1, 6-0, and Shahar Peer of Israel came from behind to beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.