Venus happy to be back after injury layoff

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb 20 (Reuters) Venus Williams had to battle to beat Japan's Akiko Morigami in the first round of the Memphis International, but the American was delighted to win on her comeback from injury.

The former world number one arrived in Memphis having played just one match since Wimbledon -- in Luxembourg in October -- because of wrist and knee injuries.

Williams, who has slipped to 54th in the rankings, was visibly rusty on her return but said she was delighted with her 6-1 2-6 6-4 win over Morigami yesterday.

''I am just so excited to be back,'' said Williams.

''I needed to win because I am not playing next week. I didn't want to come here and play one match and then have to wait two weeks to play another so it's good for me.'' Williams's wrist problems started at the French Open last year.

After Wimbledon, she was off the tour until August and a comeback at the WTA event in Luxembourg in October proved hasty.

She only began training at the beginning of the year and was forced to pull out of the Australian Open and Diamond Games in Antwerp before declaring herself ready to play in Memphis.

''I didn't know how I would feel because my wrist was still feeling really sore in practice,'' she said.

''I wasn't always hitting 100 percent in practice and to be honest, this match was the first time I was hitting like that.

''But I feel like my wrist is going to be fine. I'll probably be a little sore tomorrow but hopefully I'll be fine.'' Williams also said she had been inspired by her younger sister Serena's victory at the Australian Open last month after time out through injury.

''She showed that if you apply yourself you can do it, if you believe in yourself, if you fight, you can do it,'' she added.

REUTERS PM SP1145