Venus wins Sony Ericsson Opener

Key Biscayne:

Venus Williams dropped the first four games before rallying to beat Yuliana Fedak 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open on Thursday.

Rain curtailed the schedule, and gusty wind made for some sloppy rallies. Unforced errors plagued Williams early, and she fell behind 4-0 in 15 minutes before charging back."Definitely a really interesting day," Williams said.

"Even though I got down, I didn't feel I was going to lose. I just needed to find my timing."She had 28 winners to two for Ukraine's Fedak.

Slowed by injuries, Williams is unseeded and playing in only her third tournament since July. She won in Memphis in February for her 34th career title, and first since Wimbledon in 2005.

"To me it's just a blessing to be playing," said the former three-time champion.In men's play, 19-year-old American Sam Querrey beat Russia's Igor Andreev 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 and will face two-time defending champion Roger Federer on Saturday.

"I have nothing to lose," the 1.98-meter (6-foot-6) Querrey said. "I can just go out there and hit every ball as hard as I can, and hope they all go in as winners.

"Guillermo Canas, who ended Roger Federer's 41-match winning streak on March 11 at Indian Wells, beat Tim Henman 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.