'The only option was to be strong' - Venus victorious over Jakupovic in Miami opener

MIAMI, FL, USA - Venus Williams got her 2019 Miami Open campaign off to a winning start with a tightly contested 7-5, 6-3 first-round win over qualifier Dalila Jakupovic

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The first meeting between the pair showcased all of the 1998, 1999 and 2001 champion's determination - as well as her astute tactics and cool-headed execution - as she came from a break down three times in the first set. "Growing up in my home we weren't allowed to be weak, so it just wasn't an option," Williams declared of her fortitude afterwards. "The only option was to be strong. You had a choice of being strong or being strong, so we were strong."

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Though Williams, fresh off a quarterfinal finish at Indian Wells, kicked off the match with an immaculate hold to love, it was evident that the 38-year-old's renowned serve was not operating at its full capacity. When Jakupovic noticed this, the Slovenian was able to take full advantage, powering three clean return winners for a third consecutive break of serve and a 3-2 lead.

The World No.80 also exploited Williams's movement smartly at times, deploying the dropshot and judicious net forays to positive effect. However, the seven-time Grand Slam champion was also playing strategically, effectively disguising her weaknesses by keeping points short with aggressive returning and a willingness to come forward herself.

"She really plays the angles well and definitely a real competitor," said an impressed Williams afterwards. "[I] was just trying to get a feel for what her shot selection is like. That's always really challenging as a new opponent."

Williams identified Jakupovic's struggles to deal with high backhands, and thereafter relentlessly pumped loopy topspin to that wing. But ultimately, it was the former World No.1's ability to ride the ebbs and flows of the scoreboard that set her apart in a first set that saw seven breaks of serve in total.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Jakupovic's backhand and dropshot both deserted her, with the game lost in the blink of an eye. Williams wasted no time in seizing her lifeline, powering through three consecutive games in a blitz of backhands.

With the first set under her belt, Williams went from strength to strength as Jakupovic's game became increasingly strewn with errors, with the American finishing with 16 winners to 11 unforced errors and her rival with 26 winners and 24 unforced errors. With Williams's backhand and net play in full flow, the Auckland and Indian wells quarterfinalist broke twice to leap out to a 5-1 lead.

A slight twist in the tale remained: Jakupovic, seemingly rejuvenated by the brink of defeat, gathered herself to fire down-the-line winners to break Williams back and then hold. The 27-year-old, who turned heads when she stretched Angelique Kerber to a tight 7-6(4), 6-3 loss in Dubai a month ago, even saved three consecutive match points in the next game, the third with another delectable dropshot.

A fourth, though, was beyond her - and a backhand wide sealed Williams's 65th Miami win. Up next for the World No.43 is a familiar foe in No.24 seed Carla Suárez Navarro, against whom she owns a 6-3 head-to-head record.

"As an opponent, she's crafty, feisty, and competitive," Williams assessed the upcoming clash. "She plays maybe a little more topspin than others and then some slice. So it's a little bit atypical game to adjust to as opposed to other players."