French Open 2012: Venus Williams Beats Paula Ormaechea In First Round

Venus Williams of the U.S. celebrates her win over Paula Ormaechea of Argentina in the first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday May 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

PARIS -- Venus Williams bounced back from a poor start at the French Open on Sunday, beating 19-year-old Paula Ormaechea 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in her first Grand Slam match since revealing she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

The seven-time major champion seemed taken aback by her opponent's early aggressive play, but still managed to turn the match her way and reach the second round.

The 31-year-old Williams, a former top-ranked player who is now No. 53, is 12-4 this season.

Williams pulled out of the U.S. Open last August before her second-round match, saying she had Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain. She returned to the tour in March.

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