Serena Williams feeling ‘more comfortable on clay’, impressed by ‘cool and gutsy’ Lisa Pigato

Serena Williams believes she is starting to find her feet on clay again after she comfortably saw off the challenge of teenager Lisa Pigato in the first round of the Emilia-Romagna Open.
After losing her opening encounter at the Italian Open last week, Williams accepted a last-minute wildcard for the WTA 250 event in Parma to get matches on clay under her belt ahead of Roland Garros.
The 17-year-old Pigato put up a brave fight as she went down 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour with Williams winning her first match on clay in 2021.
First win of the clay court season. 🇺🇸 @serenawilliams is through in Parma! #EmiliaRomagnaOpen pic.twitter.com/FQGO8Y1dCw
— wta (@WTA) May 17, 2021
The youngster broke in the first game of the match, but the American won the next four games to race into a 4-1 lead while she also claimed back-to-back breaks in the second set to build a similar advantage.
“I’m just starting to feel more comfortable. I’ve always felt super comfortable on the clay and this year has been a little more difficult than normal,” Williams said. “I think it was because of the long hiatus I’ve had (from) the clay.”
While Williams was playing in her 1,001st WTA match, Pigato was making her Tour debut and the 23-time Grand Slam winner was impressed.
“Lisa played really well,” she said. “She told me she was only 17. Her future is super-bright – she handled the moment well, so I look forward to cheering for her in the future.”
The Italian wildcard asked the tennis icon for a photo immediately after the match and Williams was happy to oblige.
“It’s usually after the match, in the locker room, I take photos,” she told the press. “It was really cool and gutsy. It was her first WTA main draw match, so I thought it was a really good opportunity to take a photo – she’ll be able to look back on that in years.
“I wish I had done that with my first match, it would have been really cool.”
Fifth seed Amanda Anisimova also advanced as the American beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1, while fourth seed Daria Kasatkina beat Hsieh Su-Wei to set up a clash against Sloane Stephens.
However, former world No 1 Venus Williams crashed out as the seven-time Grand Slam winner was suffered a 7-5, 2-6, 2-6 defeat at the hands of Anna Schmiedlová.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka in control of her own Australian Open destiny: ‘I’m my psychologist’
Aryna Sabalenka will take on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic stays in hunt for La Decima at Australian Open despite meltdown, tantrum, unforced errors galore
Novak Djokovic one Australian Open win away from La Decima.
-
News
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid do it again as they win fourth Australian Open title in a row
The pair were dominant in victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.
-
Australian Open
Victoria Azarenka snaps back at questions over Novak Djokovic’s dad: ‘You can spin the story however you want’
Victoria Azarenka unimpressed about line of questioning.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas on being within touching distance of No 1 spot: ‘I like that number. It’s all about you’
Stefanos Tsitsipas one win away from a maiden Grand Slam title and the No 1 ranking.
-
Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas into first Australian Open final after overcoming wobble and Karen Khachanov
The Greek will bid for a first Grand Slam title on Sunday.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal gives fitness and comeback update following latest injury setback
Rafael Nadal to miss Dubai event while there are doubts over his participation in Sunshine Double.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s father won’t attend semi-final after flag furore – ‘I had no intention of being caught up in this’
Srdjan Djokovic stood next to a man holding a Russia flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on.
-
Tennis News
Does Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.