Serena Williams’ quest for her first WTA title since becoming a mother has got off to a strong start at the ASB Classic in New Zealand On Tuesday.
Playing in Auckland for only the second time in her career, the top seed required exactly 70 minutes to see off Camila Giorgi 6-3, 6-2. Extending her head-to-head record against the Italian to 6-0. During their latest match, Williams fired eight aces and won 74% of her service points overall. Recording her second win at the tournament in as many days following her triumph in the doubles on Monday with Caroline Wozniacki.
“I thought it was solid,” Williams commented on her latest win.
“Technically the second match of the year, I’ve had a long time off tournament play and match play, so I thought I did pretty good. It’s a great start to build on.”
“I definitely think the doubles helped me a lot, especially with my serve. I served pretty decent, considering the conditions. So it’s really been helpful.” She later added.
Prior to this week, the 38-year-old hadn’t played a singles match on the WTA Tour since her loss to Bianca Andreescu in the final of the US Open back in September. Whilst her score against Giorgi looks straightforward, the America admits that it wasn’t that simple.
“It’s definitely not easy,” she said.
“It’s always hard to play first match early in the season.”
Later this month will mark the third anniversary of when Williams won her last title of any sort at the Australian Open. Since then, she has become a mother and reached the final of a further four grand slam events. In 2020 she will be aiming to claim her 24th major title to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.
On the verge of creating more history in the sport, the former world No.1 is taking it all in her stride. Vowing not to get too far ahead of herself.
“I’m just taking it a day at a time,” she stated. “I’m just happy to be competing, and I really want to enjoy this year and this tournament, and have fun.”
Williams will play compatriot Christine McHale in the second round.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Wozniacki thrashed New Zealand wild card Paige Hourigan 6-1, 6-0. Producing a dominant display that saw her win 52 out of the 66 points played in the match. Auckland is one of the last tournaments the Dane will play before retiring from the sport later this month.
“I think it was a good start to the tournament. I think I played pretty well.” Said Wozniacki, who will face Lauren Davis next.
Second seed Petra Martic overcame a stern scare in her opening match against lucky loser Usue Maitane Arconada. The world No.15 hit back from a set down to defeat the American 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, after more than two-and-a-half hours of play. The draw has open for Martic following the exit of sixth seed Rebecca Peterson. She will not play a seeded player until at least the semi-finals if she gets that far.
Finally, defending champion Julia Goerges kicked-off her title defence with a 6-1, 7-6(4), win over Belgium’s Greet Minnen.
