Serena Williams delighted to be back, awaits ‘fierce’ Venus in second round
It was a smooth return to clay-court action for Serena Williams, but she knows she can expect a “fierce” second-round contest when she takes on sister Venus.
Serena made her 2019 clay-court debut at the Italian Open on Monday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Swede Rebecca Peterson.
It was the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s first match since March as she struggled to shake off a knee injury she picked up at the Miami Open.
However, she pretty solid against Peterson.
“I felt good, I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel,” Williams said. “It’s been a while, I haven’t played a ton of matches this year, not by choice, just by force.
“I really, really, actually desperately wanted to be on the tour and to be playing, but it hasn’t been able to work out.
“It felt good to finally be back out. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep it up.
“I got here pretty early really, I wanted to get used to the conditions and ‘real clay’ and it was good I did that.”
Venus had a tougher encounter against Elise Mertens as she needed three sets before winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).
“We’re just as fierce, Venus is just as fierce. We both really want to get some match play. We’ll both do the best that we can,” Serena said.
She added: “We play each other a lot. Seems like every tournament nowadays we meet early. Yeah, it is what it is.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Australian Open‘Really unjustified’ – Boris Becker leaps to Novak Djokovic’s defence over his quarantine pleas
Boris Becker believes world No.1 Novak Djokovic has come in for unfair criticism after writing a letter to Australian Open chiefs.
-
Tennis NewsUmpire suffers heart attack as another Australian Open player tests positive for Covid-19
Spanish player Paula Badosa has announced she has tested positive for coronavirus during quarantine in Australia.
-
NewsLaura Robson unsure about tennis future after third hip operation
The 27-year-old said her priority now is to live a pain-free life.
-
Australian OpenAndy Murray believes he can still play at the Australian Open as he plots return to action
Former world No.1 Andy Murray is still hopeful of playing in next month’s Australian Open.
-
Australian OpenPlayers are urged not to feed the mice in their hotel rooms as Heather Watson turns to Tik Tok
Britain’s Heather Watson has turned to Tik…
-
NewsOn this day in 2014: Stan Wawrinka ends Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open run
The Swiss won a five-set epic to deny Djokovic a piece of history.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic hits back at allegations of being ‘selfish, difficult and ungrateful’
Djokovic says he finds it tough to be ‘a mere onlooker’.
-
Australian OpenAustralian Open boss defends ‘better deal’ for the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams
Big-name players self-isolating in Adelaide.
-
ATP TourRotterdam Open boss reveals delight as ‘one of his all-time favourite players’ Rafael Nadal joins field
Rafael Nadal will return to Rotterdam.
-
Australian OpenRoberto Bautista Agut says quotes comparing quarantine to ‘jail, but with WiFi’ was ‘taken out of context’
Roberto Bautista Agut issues an apology.