Wimbledon champion Venus Williams claimed only her second victory in eight months on Wednesday when she beat Polish wild card Urszula Radwanska 6-3, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Warsaw Open.

Top seed Kim Clijsters was another winner, taking just 51 minutes to dismiss Ukranian qualifier Julia Vakulenko 6-3, 6-2.

Third seeded Russian Elena Dementieva was even more efficient in overwhelming another Ukranian qualifier, Tatiana Perebiynis, 6-2, 6-0, and fifth seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy defeated Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-1.

Since losing to eventual champion Clijsters in the quarterfinals of the US Open last September, Williams had played just two tournaments and two matches.

She defeated Nuria Llagostera Vives before defaulting against Marta Domachowska in Beijing last year, and then was beaten by Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round of the Australian Open.

Although she rarely played at her highest level, there were few signs of rust against a modest 15-year old opponent competing in her first match on the WTA tour.

"All in all I'm happy," said Williams, who won for the first time in 2006. "You can't ask for too much more. I played a really good player.

"She was eager and really knew how to hit the ball, and that's good news for Polish tennis.

"Just pretty solid and I'll improve on that. At this stage every match is important to me, to get a rhythm and start dominating hopefully."

The seventh seeded American forced a netted forehand to break for 3-1, and although she made a backhand volley error to drop her serve in the next game, she went on to break a second time to lead 4-2.

Although hitting a return wide on a set point at 5-2, Williams then served out the set.

She also always held the upper hand in the second set, often overpowering her opponent with her huge forehand.

The former World No. 1 broke to lead

1-0, and after Radwanska levelled at 2-2 with the aid of a net cord, she regained the lead by breaking for 3-2 and claimed the match with a further break at 5-3 when Radwanska hit her sixth doublefault.

Williams had suffered a strained ligament in her right elbow and finally began practising in earnest about four weeks ago.

She wanted to be sure she was ready to return after her unsuccessful attempt at competing in Australia.

"It was a really hard place to heal and it just took time," said Williams. "I just did rehab and tried to get better the best I could.

"I had to honest with myself, because I really didn't want any more Australian Opens where I wasn't playing at 100 percent. I just didn't want to come back until I knew I could do it right."

Her next opponent is Martina Hingis, and it is a challenge she is eagerly anticipating.

"I definitely look forward to that. She's had a great year so far just living her dreams. I think everyone's happy for her, and I'm happy for her. It should be a very good match tomorrow."