Tennis: Venus on course in Philadelphia

Former world number one Venus Williams crushed fellow American Lisa Raymond 6-2 6-1 in the first round of the Advanta Championships in Philadelphia.

The fifth seeded Williams probably needs to reach the final to clinch a place in the season-ending WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles.

Williams is competing with her sister Serena, Jennifer Capriati and Russian Vera Zvonareva for the two remaining berths in the $3 million event, which starts on Monday.

Serena is almost certain to qualify, while Capriati and Venus probably need to reach the final in Philadelphia to earn places in Los Angeles. Zvonareva needs to win the event to deny them.

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, world number one Lindsay Davenport, US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva and Amelie Mauresmo are already guaranteed a place.

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