724 days after she last played on Centre Court, Serena Williams has returned back to winning ways at Wimbledon with a roller-coaster 7-5, 6-3, triumph over Dutch world No.105 Arantxa Rus in the first round.
Williams, 36, is playing at the All England Club for the first time since 2016 after missing last year due to pregnancy. Despite a current ranking of outside the top 150, she has been given a special seeding of 25th in the draw thanks to the Wimbledon rulebook that allow exemptions. Something she justified during her first round win triumphed as she overcame a tricky Rus with the help of her heavy shot-making. Firing five aces and 23 winners to score her 87th win in the tournament.
“I don’t know if I’m relieved or more motivated I would say. But I’m happy to get through that.” Williams told BBC Sport after the match.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s been a couple years since I last played on grass. It’s good, definitely different, I’m just trying to find my bearings.” She later added.
Playing in only her fourth tournament of the year, Williams experienced tough resistance from her Dutch rival. Rus has been ranked as high as 61st in the world and knocked former world No.2 Kim Clijsters out of the French Open back in 2012. It that wasn’t enough trouble, Williams also had to contend with the conditions as the wind caused havoc on a hot and humid day.
Exchanging breaks at the start of the match, Williams’ recent lack of match play due to injury was evident. Along with some blistering winners were some awkward looking shots. Something that played into the hands of Rus. Throughout the opening set there was little disparity between the two until the very end. Leading 6-5, a tiresome 25-shot rally concluded with a Rus error to gift Williams a duo of set points. Missing her first, the 23-time grand slam champion converted on her second after another costly error from her rival.
Despite taking the lead, Williams was far from safe as she went behind during the early stages of set two after dropping her serve. Only for the American to break back three games later to level 3-3. Continuing to weather the storm, a Rus forehand into the net secured another break in Williams’ favour to reward her a chance to serve the match out. It was a far from simple task against her Dutch rival as five match points came and went. Nevertheless, it was fifth time lucky after another costly backhand into the net by her opponent.
“She played unbelievable today. I’ve never seen her play like that.” Williams said in tribute to Rus.
“But that’s the game, you got to be ready for everything. I just feel like I’m happy to get through that (the match). I didn’t play my best, but I’ll get there. I am just taking it one match at a time.”
In the next round Williams will play either Viktoriya Tomova or Tereza Smitková.
