Winning her first match since Wimbledon at a tournament she hasn’t played since 2015, some might have expected Serena Williams to be contempt with her opening performance in Toronto. However, this was not the case.
The 23-time grand slam champion took to the court on Wednesday to play Belgium’s Elise Mertens. A world No.20 player from Belgium who narrowly missed out on being seeded in the Rogers Cup. Williams prevailed 6-3, 6-3, in just under 80 minutes. Battling back from a break down in both sets to score the win. Hitting 19 winners against 24 unforced errors in the process.
“I felt a little sluggish out there.” Said Williams.
“Felt like I could play — (I’m) a little disappointed, actually. But I feel like I just need to keep playing these matches.”
Speaking to reporters after her win in Toronto, Williams was told by one journalist that she played ‘really, really, good’ and her coach Patrick Mourtagolou was pleased with her performance. Prompting a look of surprise from the world No.1.
“I need to go back and watch that (the match). I don’t know why I felt sluggish then. I don’t know. That’s good to hear.” She responded.
“I actually had more time to prepare for the Rogers Cup than I did for Wimbledon, so that’s just no joke.’
“Now that I’m just injury free, I’m just enjoying being able to train, and I haven’t been able to do it since January, really.”
Troubled by injury problems in recent months, Toronto is only the seventh WTA tournament of the season for Williams. Heading into this week, the 37-year-old has won 15 out of the 19 matches she has played. However only two of those 15 victories has been over a top 20 player.
Williams will play Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova next, who is currently ranked 48th in the world. The qualifier defeated China’s Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3, in her second round match. Earlier this year Alexandrova reached the third round of a grand slam for the first time at the French Open. The upcoming clash will be the first meeting between the two.
“I face a lot of players for the first time, so it’s just really about going out there and doing a little studying about their game and then going from there and playing.” Said Williams.
This week Williams is bidding to win her first title since returning to the tour in March 2018 after giving birth to her first child. She is a three-time champion at the Rogers Cup and last lifted the title back in 2013.
Williams’ third round match against Alexandrova will take place on Thursday evening local time.
