Solo-flying Venus enjoys return to work at Melbourne Park
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MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Part-time fashion designer, book-writer and mature-age student, Venus Williams reminded the world she remains pretty good at her regular job by cruising through her opening round match at the Australian Open on Monday.
Williams's business-like 6-3 6-2 drubbing of Italy's Sara Errani was her first tour match in four months after a four-month layoff from a knee injury, her last hit-out a hard-fought semi-final loss to Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open.
Not that Venus, seeded fourth here, would dare celebrate her sister's absence.
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"To be honest, I'm just really focused on getting to the next round, regardless of who's there," she said, wearing a white designer tracksuit and toting a sparkling handbag.
"Obviously, you know, Serena is such a great player that of course any tournament misses her.
"But in terms of me actually being here and trying to win, I just have to focus on getting to the next round till it's all over."
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Venus's down-time exploits are as almost as famous as her on-court achievements, and the five-time French Open champion did little wallowing during her recuperation period.
Win or lose, the 30-year-old tends to do it in style, and the fourth seed has delighted fashionistas and tabloids by busting out new dresses at the grand slams.
Her flesh-coloured shorts she wore at last year's tournament caused a minor stir as Internet users debated whether she was actually wearing underwear on the court.
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On Sunday, her blue, figure-hugging dress with plunging neckline also caused something of an optical illusion as she raced around the similarly-coloured Plexicushion court.
The flesh-coloured shorts were left in the closet, however.
"The design, it really was an 'Illusion' dress, the illusion when I wear the nude shorts under. But at the last minute I decided not to (wear them).
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"You know, it's just about focusing on the dress and not anything else. I mean, I had black shorts under," she clarified quickly.
(Editing by John O'Brien)