Venus Williams Returns To Indian Wells Friday, Serena Also In Action; Bouchard Wins, 2-Time Champ Hantuchova Falls

A year after sister Serena Williams returned to Indian Wells, Venus does the same Friday playing in the desert for the first time since 2001.

“Not feeling welcome somewhere is a hard memory to let go of – at any age,” Venus said in The Players Tribune. “And so that’s what I did. I held onto it. But then I saw Serena. And it was in that moment, seeing Serena welcomed with open arms last year at Indian Wells, that I think I fully and truly realized what being the big sister means.

“It means that, for all of the things I did first, and all of the times when I paved the way for Serena, the thing I can be most proud of is this time. When Serena paved the way for me.”

Venus, who turns 36 this summer, will face qualifier Karumi Nara in the afternoon while Serena is on in the evening against another qualifier, Laura Siegemund.

As the women’s seeds begin, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Lucie Safarova and Madison Keys are on court.

Earlier today, among the winners today were Americans Christina Mchale, Madison Brengle, Shelby Rogers and Lauren Davis.

Daria Kasatkina beat 2-time former champion Daniela Hantuchova and Magdalena Rybarikova ended the comeback bid of Laura Robson in straight sets.

In a late win, Genie Bouchard came back to beat Risa Ozaki in three sets 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.