Venus pleased with her progress

Venus Williams has long been hindered by illness and injury, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion is feeling more upbeat this year than she has for some time.

The elder Williams sister is on a 6-0 run, having won the lead-up Auckland Classic title - beating world No 8 Caroline Wozniacki in the final - and then her first match at the Australian Open.

It's a continuation of the form she showed in 2014, when she reached the third round at Wimbledon and the US Open, won the Dubai Tennis Championship, and made the final at Montreal, defeating sister Serena en route.