Serena Williams overcame moments of patchy play at the windy ASB Classic to dismiss France’s Pauline Parmentier, 6-3, 6-4 and advance to the second round.
The win was Williams’ first since the US Open in September after ending her 2016 season prematurely due to a shoulder injury. Facing 30-year-old Parmentier, the top seed managed to recover from a 1-3 deficit in the opening set by winning five consecutive games. The surge from Williams in the later part of the opening set failed to continue in the second. Battling against the wind as well as a spirited performance from her rival, Williams managed to break twice on her way to sealing the straight sets win.
“It’s my first match back in several months. I was playing a really good player today,” Williams said after. “The wind was getting to me. Every day I’ve practiced here has been no wind and of course today it was windy, so that was good. Actually, it wasn’t good. It was interesting.”
Sneaky drop shot from @SerenaWilliams! 👌 #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/gPh0vy80ld
— WTA (@WTA) 2 January 2017
There is still room for improvement in Williams’ game as she approaches the Australian Open. Posting a below-par first serves in rate of just 48%, the 22-time grand slam champion managed to compensate for the low figure with the help of eight aces.
Speaking about her absence from the tour in recent months, Williams expressed no regret in her decision. Unlike her time off between 2015-2016, this time round the American has opted to reduce her training schedule.
“It was really good for me. Last year I didn’t play in the fall, but I probably worked more than I ever had. It was too much in fact.” Williams admitted.
“This year I didn’t play, but I took time off from everything. I really think it made the world of difference. I feel a little bit more refreshed than last year. So, I learned from that mistake.”
The tentative approach during her off-season is one that she plans to continue throughout 2017. Similar to recent years, the world No. 2 has once again confirmed that she will play a reduced schedule.
“I’m taking it a day at a time, I don’t see myself playing a full schedule. I just see myself playing the ones that I have entered and doing the best I can in those events.” She said.
Awaiting Williams in the second round at Auckland will be Compatriot Madison Brengle, who defeated qualifier Jamie Loeb 6-4, 7-6(5), in her opening match. The top seed previously thrashed Brengle 6-0, 6-1, at the 2015 Madrid Open.
