V. Williams beats Vandeweghe, 1999 champ advances after 6-4, 6-3 win

Over to the women's tour now and action from the WTA Italian Open. Venus Williams the champ here in 1999, was looking for some more magic in Rome as she took on fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe in the first round on Monday.

11 years younger than her opponent, Vandeweghe would be able to go toe-to-toe with the older Williams. But the former world number one was able to fire a winner into the corner, en route to a 6-4 first set win.

Vandeweghe fought back at the begining of the second, as a drop volley wins her the opening point.

But Williams would take control of the frame and comfortably beat her compatriot 6-4, 6-3. She will face either Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, or Hungary's Timea Babos next.

Ivanovic downs Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-4, 13th seed needs 95 minutes to advance to second round

Also on Monday, Ana Ivanovic at the top of your screen is facing Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 13th-seeded Ivanovic is able to chase down this shot and wins the point with a forehand winner into the open court.

Going on to win the first set 6-4, the Serb's progression to the second round was temporarily halted, as the Russian clawed back with a nice backhand winner. 

Ivanovic was broken while serving for the match at 5-3, but quickly recovered to break back and secure the match when her opponent double faults. She will next face either wildcard Claudia Giovine of Italy, or Christina McHale of the United States next.

Safarova defeats Schiavone 6-3, 6-2, 10th seed will face Japan's Doi in next round

Meanwhile, 10th seed Lucia Safarova at the bottom of the the screen faced local Francesca Schiavone in the first round. Taking the first set 6-3, Safarova would take the upper hand in the second, also winning this rally to take a 3-1 lead.

The 2010 French Open champion, Schiavone was not on her game, and hits long on match point, giving Safarova a 6-3, 6-2 victory, and will meet Japan's Misaki Doi in the second round.