Nadal makes happy return to Wimbledon

The Spanish world number one missed out on defending his title last June as he nursed his aching knees back home in Mallorca.

On the second day of the championships, he was back on a sun-soaked Centre Court and wasted little time in tormenting an opponent who he had once tipped as a 'future top 10 player'.

The 20-year-old Nishikori, on a comeback trail after missing most of the 2009 season with an elbow injury, had the audacity to break Nadal for 3-3 in the third set but his joy was short-lived.

Nadal powered to victory with an overhead smash on match point to set up a second round encounter with Dutchman Robin Haase. REUTERS

Venus Williams looking good at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON: Venus Williams took the Wimbledon stage in a Tina Turner dress and quickly found her groove.

Williams' latest tennis outfit won't cause the international stir created by her French Open corset, but it was eye-catching: a white dress with a skirt that might set a Grand Slam record for frills.

Her game also looked good as the five-time Wimbledon champion beat Rossana de los Rios in the first round Monday, 6-3, 6-2.

Williams' latest fashion design resembled outfits worn by Turner when she sang hit songs in the 1970s and '80s.

In Paris, Williams said her black burlesque outfit created an "illusion of bareness."

At Wimbledon, she had to make allowances for the All England Club's conservative dress code. AP