Venus Williams advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday but had to work hard for her 6-3, 7-6, victory against Hungary's Petra Mandula.
The two times former champion is looking for her first grand slam title since the second of her U.S. Open triumphs in 2001, but she was unconvincing against an opponent ranked 64th in the world.
Williams, who could meet Lindsay Davenport in the quarter-finals, will play American qualifier Shikha Uberoi in the second round.
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Williams has been hit by various injury problems this year and made little impression in the three previous grand slam events.
At the Olympics earlier this month Mary Pierce beat her in the last 16.
