At 45, Venus Williams sets record at Australian Open but falls in the 1st round

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Venus Williams set a record just by starting her first-round match at the Australian Open, a testament to her endurance and longevity at the highest level of tennis.

Up two service breaks at 4-0 in the third set Sunday, she was oh-so-close to underlining it with a victory, too.

Olga Danilovic had other ideas, rallying to win six straight games and beat the 45-year-old, seven-time major winner 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4.

Williams served for 14 1/2 minutes in the penultimate game...