Venus Williams moves forward in Istanbul Cup

ISTANBUL, May 22 (Reuters) Fourth-seeded Venus Williams overpowered Bulgarian Tatiana Poutchek 6-1 6-2 in the first high-profile match of the Istanbul Cup today to move into the second round of the tournament.

Williams is trying to climb back into the world's top 16 before the French Open, which begins later this month, having dropping as low as 71 after wrist and knee injuries.

Third-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland beat Taiwanese Chan Yung-Jan 6-1 6-1, while American Vania King defeated Turkey's Ipek Senoglu 6-3 7-5.

Ekaterina Dzehalevich of Belarus beat Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-3 7-5 in the day's first match.

REUTERS TB VC2011