Wimbledon, England (AHN) - Three-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams survived a first-round scare from 19-year-old Russian Alla Kudryavtseva before joining her sister Serena in the second round on Tuesday.

Kudryavtseva took the first set 6-2 and gave Williams, ranked No. 23, all kinds of problems in the third and deciding set, but the American persevered and posted a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.

Williams had 34 unforced errors and managed just 24 winners. Both players went 5-for-10 in break point chances, while Venus dominated the service game, smashing home eight aces to the Russian's one.

Kudryavtseva looked to be in the driver's seat after taking the first set, but grew increasingly agitated with the umpire and lines judges' calls. She slammed her racket, screeched and hit balls into the wall after several calls in the final set.

Williams is looking for her fourth Wimbledon crown. She last won in 2005 and was knocked out in the third round last year. She's also been runner-up at the All England Club twice.

The American will match-up with Hana Sromova in the second round after the Czech beat Shuai Peng 6-4, 6-4.

In other action on Tuesday, No. 2 Maria Sharapova had a bit of trouble in the second set, but still posted a straight sets win over 17-year-old Yung Jan Chan, 6-1, 7-5.

Sharapova, 20, last won Wimbledon back in 2004. She was also a semifinalist in each of the last two Wimbledon's.

No. 3 Jelena Jankovic and No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze also posted straight set wins to move on to the second round on Tuesday.