Eyeing return to top 10, Venus Williams kicks off WTA Elite Trophy with win over Madison Keys

ZHUHAI, China (AP) _ Venus Williams opened the WTA Elite Trophy on Tuesday with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1 win over Madison Keys.

Williams has already won two titles in a resurgent season and could return to the top 10 in the rankings for the first time in more than four years with a strong showing in the 12-player tournament.

Williams was two points from defeat in the second set before pulling out the victory in a rematch of the Australian Open quarterfinals, won by Keys.

The tournament brings together 11 of the top players who did not qualify for last week’s WTA Finals in Singapore, including Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and U.S. Open finalist Roberta Vinci. Zheng Saisai of China was added to the field as a wild-card entry.

INDEX: SPORTS