Venus Williams weathers wrongs to advance at Aussie Open

It wasn't easy, but 13th-seeded Venus Williams has booked a spot in the second round of the Australian Open in a rematch with pesky Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova.

Williams, 36, overcame 48 unforced errors after having a similarly difficult time with Kozlova in a three-setter during last year's U.S. Open.

This time around, Williams needed just the two sets, winning 7-6 (5), 7-5 in a shade under two hours to better her performance from last season when she dropped the opener to eventual semifinalist Johanna Konta.

Williams is making an Open era record 73rd appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam in the twilight of a decorated career that witnessed the former World No. 1 win seven majors, but none since Wimbledon in 2008.

Seeded 13th at her 17th Aussie Open, Williams topped her Ukrainian opponent 14 years her junior after the opening stanza went to a tiebreaker courtesy of the American's struggles with her first serve and a staggering 29 unforced errors to Kozlova's eight.

Williams took an improved second set 7-5, breaking Kozlova twice to advance to the second round to face Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele.

After the match, Williams shifted from discussion of her Aussie opener to talk of her recently engaged sister, Serena.

"She's a wise woman. She's actually getting a real life," a grinning Venus offered. "Maybe I'll grow up."

With the two sisters sharing a home base together in Florida, the elder may have no choice after bride-to-be Serena and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian got engaged on the other side of the new year.

"They have to figure out this life together," Venus said. '"I just kind of go with the flow. I can always get on a plane if she moves somewhere else."