Venus Williams ousted in first round of Australian Open warm-up

Auckland, New Zealand: Venus Williams was beaten in three sets by Magda Linette on Tuesday at the Auckland Classic as the American great gears up to m...

Auckland, New Zealand: Venus Williams was beaten in three sets by Magda Linette on Tuesday at the Auckland Classic as the American great gears up to make history at the Australian Open aged 45.

Williams showed glimpses of the talent that has brought her seven major singles titles before running out of steam as the 52nd-ranked Linette won 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Williams received a generous ovation as she left the court and will now head to Hobart for another warm-up event before the first Grand Slam of the year.

The American will play her first Australian Open in five years and will be the oldest woman ever at the Melbourne tournament after being granted a wildcard.

She has played only sporadically in recent years and the match against Poland's Linette was her first competitive singles outing since the US Open in August.