WTA Birmingham, Great Britain

Top 5 Photos, June 17: Venus pairs with Dart; Kevin Anderson returns

Reigning champion Marin Cilic also began his title defense at The Queen's Club.

By Jordaan SanfordPublished June 17, 2019

The second week of the grass-court swing kicked off on Monday. These are the Top 5 photos from the action at The Queen's Club and Birmingham.

1. Monday's opening matches at The Queen's Club started on the sunnier side, compared the dismal weather that forced continuous indoor play in Nottingham last week.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: A ball girl holds an umbrella over the head of Christian Garin of Chile during a break in play during the First Round Singles Match between Christian Garin of Chile and Marin Cilic of Croatia during Day One of the Fever-Tree Championships at Queens Club on June 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

2. Johanna Konta is coming off an impressive semifinal run at Roland Garros, and looks to bring that same quality of play into the grass-court season. Konta, a past Wimbledon semifinalist, hasn't fared well the past couple of years in Birmingham but she's off to a great start with her 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Anett Kontaveit.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Johanna Konta of Great Britain cshakes hands with Anett Kontaveit of Estonia after victory in her first round match during day one of the Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club on June 17, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA) — © Jordan Mansfield/www.jordanmansfield.co

3. After suffering an elbow injury that forced him to miss the entire clay-court season, reigning Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson took the court for his first match back at The Queen's Club. Cameron Norrie made it a challenging return for the South African, but Anderson battled back to win, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Kevin Anderson of South Africa serves during his First Round Singles Match against Cameron Norrie of Great Britain during Day One of the Fever-Tree Championships at Queens Club on June 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

4. Marin Cilic recently announced Wayne Ferreira will join his coaching staff this grass-court season. The new addition is off to a positive start, as Cilic advanced past rising star Christian Garin, 6-1, 7-6 (5), to begin his title defense at The Queen's Club.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Marin Cilic of Croatia celebrates match point during his First Round Singles Match against Christian Garin of Chile during Day One of the Fever-Tree Championships at Queens Club on June 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

5. Birthday girl Venus Williams began her grass-court season on the doubles court with a first-time partner: 22-year-old Harriet Dart. The wild card duo were edged out by Nadiia Kichenok and Abigail Spears, who prevailed, 4-6, 7-6 (3) [10-7].

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Venus Williams of the USA (R) and Harriet Dart of Great Britain (L) celebrate a game during their first round doubles match against Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine and Abigail Spears of the USA during day one of the Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club on June 17, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images for LTA) — © 2019 Getty Images

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