American veteran Venus Williams beat a top-20 player for the first time in four years with victory over Russia's Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati.

Williams, 43, fought back from a double breakdown in each set to win 6-4 7-5 against 16th-ranked Kudermetova.

The seven-time major singles champion smiled broadly as she celebrated winning at a US tournament for the first time in more than three years.

"I love this game; it's what I do," said Williams, ranked 533rd.

"The last few years have been difficult regarding injuries, but I love to be out here, be strong and be myself. I'm getting there."

Williams will play China's Qinwen Zheng or Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round.

The former world number one will look to win back-to-back matches on the WTA Tour for the first time since the 2019 event in Cincinnati.

That was also the tournament when she last won against a top-20 opponent, beating then world number five Kiki Bertens on her way to the quarter-finals.