Her psychedelic pink web page might have had more hits than her backhand over the past six months but Venus Williams is finally back after half a year out of the limelight.

Venus and younger sister Serena have dominated the women's game since the late 1990s but have both suffered through a dismal six-month period dominated by the tragic death of an elder sister and long periods off court with injuries.

But former world number one Venus boldly showed she is on her way back when she beat Russian teenager Maria Sharapova in the final of a Hong Kong exhibition tournament at the weekend before heading for Australia.

"That's what made me happy, to play well," Venus said after her 7-5, 6-3 win over Sharapova.

"It's been too long, too long, but it's great to be back," the 23-year-old said.

Venus has not played in a WTA Tour event since she was beaten by Serena in the Wimbledon final last July, when she aggravated a stomach muscle injury, but is determined to put an unhappy six months behind her.

The Williams sisters had both planned to make their comebacks in Melbourne, which would have marked the first time they had both played a tournament since the Wimbledon final.

Serena, still recuperating from knee surgery, will not defend last year's Melbourne title which completed her "Serena Slam".

Venus has been overshadowed by her younger sister in recent years, losing four straight Grand Slam finals to Serena as well as the Wimbledon decider.

She now appears to have a great chance to claim a fifth Grand Slam title and her first since the 2001 U.S. Open.

She appears to mean business and put in a punishing but low-profile practice session on an outside court at Melbourne Park on Wednesday not long after she arrived in Australia.

ELEVATE VENUS

Injuries aside, the Williams family has been mourning the death of their sister Yetunde Price, who was shot dead in a Los Angeles suburb last September.

"Sometimes life throws you punches and you have to get up, because if you don't get up people will walk on you," Venus said in Hong Kong.

Venus is ranked outside the world's top 10 for the first time in six years and has never won the season-opening grand slam.

But 11th-ranked Williams managed to hit the headlines before even hitting a ball in Melbourne.

Australian Open organisers raised eyebrows when they decided to elevate Venus, who was beaten by Serena in last year's Open final, to third seed.

The decision to give Venus preferential seeding came just a day after Serena decided not to defend her Melbourne title because of complications in her recovery from her knee operation.

Venus is now seeded behind Belgians Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters, the top two players in the world, and ahead of former champion Lindsay Davenport despite her rankings slide.

Not everyone was happy with the decision, especially Amelie Mauresmo, the world number four who would have expected to be elevated after Serena's withdrawal.

"I feel like I'm being punished because she was injured," the muscular Frenchwoman told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"It's a strange feeling and one I don't really understand. But it's something I have to deal with."

Venus has never been a shrinking violet and the seeding controversy is sure to keep the spotlight on the flashy American, as if another reason was ever needed for her to be the focus of attention.