Venus Williams fell in the first round of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).

“The colorful beads and butterfly hair clips that marked the teenage style of Venus Williams were gone. From the moment she strode onto Center Court today, the streamlined 20-year-old with the Paul Bunyan backswing had the look of a serious young woman. A scowl was as good as any accessory.

Venus Williams, who returned to tennis last month after being away from the sport for more than a year, lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Cincinnati Open.

Tennis star Venus Williams is set to compete in the Cincinnati Open this week, marking her return to the sport after a common women's health issue.

After surgery for uterine fibroids last year, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is back at the Cincinnati Open as a wild card.

A legend is returning to the Cincinnati Open court on Thursday. All eyes will be on seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who will take on Jessica Bouzas Maniero around 1 p.m. Cincinnati is where Williams won her last tour match more than a year ago.

Williams, 45, made her tennis comeback at the Citi Open in Washington D.C., where she won her opening matches in singles and doubles.

Venus Williams remained upbeat after her first-round loss in Cincinnati, saying she now feels healthy enough to focus ahead of the US Open.