Venus Williams has started her bid for a sixth Wimbledon title with a hard-fought win over Donna Vekic.

There is a 17-year age gap between the two players but it was the experienced Williams who prevailed by a 7-6 6-4 scoreline on Court One.

Vekic had plenty of success on the Williams second serve during an opening set that lasted 63 minutes but after two breaks apiece, Williams kept her composure in a tie-break.

The second was dominated by serve and it was the American who registered the only break to move through to the second round.

Williams will now play Greece's Maria Sakkari.