American Williams, seeded sixth, begins her campaign against wildcard Hungarian Melinda Czink while Belgian Henin-Hardenne faces Czech Barbora Strycova, ranked 66th in the world.

CNN: Venus set to face Henin-Hardenne

Elsewhere, the International Tennis Federation announced Thursday that Barbora Strycova has been handed a backdated six-month ban after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

CNN: Federer breezes into Rotterdam quarters

The pair beat the previous record of a 4hr 19min encounter between Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and Regina Kulikova in the same tournament last year.

BBC: Schiavone wins record women's tie against Kuznetsova

In February, the ITF banned Czech Republic player Barbora Zahlavova Strycova for six months after she tested positive for the stimulant sibutramine at a tournament in October.

CNN: Nadal urges tighter drugs control

The final gold medal of a remarkable evening went to Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic, who successfully defended her javelin title with a throw of 69.55 meters.

CNN: Bolt makes history with 200m triumph at London Olympics

Clijsters, seeded 14th in her first appearance at the tournament since winning it for the second time in 2005, thrashed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-1.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki, another woman to have occupied top spot in the world rankings, breezed through her opening match, beating Czech world No. 59 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4 6-0.

CNN: Serena returns with victory in Miami

Germany also took gold in the women's javelin, Linda Stahl throwing a personal best of 66.81m, with Olympic bronze medallist Christina Obergfoll taking silver and Olympic champion Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic bronze.

BBC: Phillips Idowu wins European Athletics triple jump gold