Venus breezes past Craybas to reach Toyko second round

TOKYO, Oct 2 (Reuters) Former world number one Venus Williams overpowered fellow American Jill Craybas 6-3 6-1 to reach the Japan Open second round today.

Williams, winner of the Korea Open title at the weekend, recovered from an indifferent start, wrapping up the match in 59 minutes with a fierce backhand down the line.

Japan's Ai Sugiyama was an early loser, however, the fourth seed upset 6-3 6-3 by Chinese qualifier Yuan Meng to spoil her 14th appearance in her home event.

The top seeds in the men's draw, shaken by the late withdrawal of world number one Roger Federer, received first-round byes.

South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik was the highest men's seed playing on Tuesday, the number nine scheduled to face Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun in a late match.

REUTERS BJR HS1225