Williams claims 700th career win

Wuhan - Former world number one Venus Williams claimed the 700th win of her career on Tuesday, beating Germany's Julia Goerges 6-4 6-3 in the second round of the Wuhan Open in China.

The 35-year-old American became the ninth woman to chalk up 700 victories since tennis turned professional in 1968 but still has a long way to go to catch all-time leader Martina Navratilova (1,442).

"I'm glad nobody told me before, I would have been a little bit nervous," Williams said. "It was a good match, she's a quality player."

Two other former world number ones did not fare so well.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki was beaten 1-6 6-4 7-6 (6) by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova after blowing a 6-1 4-1 lead in a marathon match that lasted almost three hours.

"I'm very, very happy and very, very tired right now," said Slovak Schmiedlova.

Belarussian Victoria Azarenka was another early casualty, retiring from her match with Britain's Johanna Konta because of a leg injury while trailing 6-4 1-0.