Venus shows the way for aging contenders

Venus Williams blazed a trail for Wimbledon's elders on the opening day of the championships on Monday with a 6-0, 6-0 hammering of fellow American Madison Brengle.

In her 18th main draw appearance at the All England Club where she has triumphed five times in a glittering career, the 35-year-old Williams rolled back the years with a devastating display against a star-struck rival 10 years her junior.

The American is one of 54 singles players aged 30 or over in the main draws - proof that despite the emergence of the likes of teenagers such as Belinda Bencic and Borna Coric, experience and class can still hold sway.