Venus Is Rising, but Not Against Carlsson : Tennis: Swede teaches the 15-year-old a lesson in a 6-4, 6-1 victory at Manhattan Beach.

Perhaps all the adults surrounding Venus Williams--and there are packs of them--would do well to listen to her on the subject of expectations.

“I’m just 15,” she said, showing she may have the best perspective on her fledgling career.

Williams, playing only her second tournament since turning pro last year, looked her age on the tennis court Monday night, but she behaved more maturely than those on the bandwagon that has heralded the teen-ager’s ascension in the sport.

Asa Carlsson of Sweden, herself only 20 and already a five-year veteran of the tour, beat Williams, 6-4, 6-1, in the first round of the Acura Classic at Manhattan Beach Country Club.

Curiosity about the much-discussed but seldom-seen Williams drew 7,225 fans, many of them children. More rare, a dozen players in the draw came out to watch Williams, for whom turning pro did not mean joining the tour. Her restricted schedule allows for only three tournaments this year.

“I really wanted to win the match to show her it is not that easy to come on the tour for just one match,” said Carlsson, who had to cool her heels while Williams was led to the interview tent first. “Everyone is talking about her. I didn’t know what to expect, I’ve never seen her play.”

Williams is a self-possessed player who, at nearly 6 feet 2, may develop into a commanding serve-and-volleyer. At the moment, she has a powerful, but undependable, serve; and deep, but erratic, groundstrokes. Her tendency to spray forehands off the court allowed Carlsson to adopt a simple strategy.

“I just let her play and let her make mistakes,” she said.

As might be expected from a gifted player who lacks seasoning, Williams has an arsenal of shots but often seemed unsure of which to choose. Her serve left her with seven double faults, including on match point.

Comparing herself to last year’s debut, in which she defeated Shaun Stafford, Williams was unflinchingly self-critical.

“I think I am a better player [now],” she said. “But I played better last year.”

Williams was intriguing to watch and has the most apparent physical gifts of a tour player. There is a strong feeling of potential, that at any moment she might crack a shot that can’t be returned. Williams played at a brisk pace, and when she prepared to receive serve, the white beads that are woven into her braids clicked together.

She was broken in the first and third games, but broke Carlsson in the fourth with a sharply hit backhand to the corner. Carlsson broke in the next game, and Williams broke in the sixth to give Carlsson a 4-2 lead. Both players held serve to finish the set.

Williams held serve only once in the second set, but traded angled shots with Carlsson on long rallies and got to the net with thoughtful approach shots.

Carlsson, ranked No. 63, came onto the tour on the more conventional path of small-time tournaments and patient progression. She seemed skeptical of Williams’ hype.

Williams, who will not be ranked until she plays another tournament, has managed to stay above the feeding frenzy.

“Tennis isn’t my whole life,” she said with a steady gaze. “If it was, I wouldn’t be happy playing.”