Intro:

Defending tournament champion Venus Williams defeats Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-1, 6-2 in the first round of Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday.
Daniela Hantuchova beats Mona Bathel 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3.

Script:

Defending champion Venus Williams beat an opponent half her age on Monday, winning 6-1, 6-2 against 17-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Despite the age difference, the 34-year-old Williams looked physically fitter than her opponent and dominated throughout to earn her 16th straight win in Dubai. She's won the tournament the last three times she's entered it in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Bencic did break for a 2-0 lead in the second set but Williams quickly rebounded to wrap up the win in 69 minutes.

A sleep-deprived Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia needed 2 hours and 39 minutes to overcome Mona Barthel of Germany 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3.

Hantuchova was coming off her Thailand Open victory in Pattaya City on Sunday and looked to be continuing her run of fantastic form.

A lovely drop shot followed up by a well executed lob in the 5th game a perfect example.

The 31-year-old took victory when Barthel hit the net with her forehand return, setting up an encounter with Simona Halep of Romania in the next round.