Venus Williams eases through at Italian Open

Venus Williams has eased into the second round of the Italian Open in Rome with a straight-sets win over Germany's Annika Beck.

Both players exchanged breaks at the start of the opening set, but it was the American who broke again to serve it out 6-3.

The world number 32 then powered into a commanding 4-1 lead in the second before sealing her progress 6-1 with just over an hour on the clock.

Williams, who won the tournament back in 1999, will now face either Germany's Mona Barthel or Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in the third round.