Venus warming up for the US Open

WASHINGTON - Venus Williams still has a lot of work ahead to recapture the form that has made her a seven-time Grand Slam champion.

After joining her sister Serena in a fourth-round Wimbledon exit, Williams lost in singles and doubles before helping the Washington Kastles to a 21-18 World Team Tennis over-time victory on Tuesday over reigning champion Kansas City.

Williams, 34th in the WTA rankings, lost 5-4 to 66th-ranked Christina McHale in a one-set singles matchup of the No 2 and 3 Americans and fell 5-1 in doubles alongside Australian Rennae Stubbs against McHale and Madison Brengle.