WTA Eastbourne: Serena Williams wins comeback doubles!
Serena Williams has won her first professional match in almost exactly a year. The American narrowly won alongside OnsJabeur in pairs against Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova in the Champions Tiebreak, which was played instead of the third set.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jun 21, 2022, 09:33 pm
The last match of the day on the center court of Eastbourne's WTA 250 event was followed with significantly above-average interest. Especially since this was one of the doubles competition. The reason: Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam winner played her first competitive match in almost exactly a year at the lawn tournament.
For the American, it is without a doubt just a preparatory tournament for Wimbledon, the grass classic begins next Monday. So there is still some time for Williams to get in better shape: Williams won her comeback match in Eastbourne in pair skating alongside Ons Jabeur. The duo had little to counter Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova in the first set, but grooved better and better in the second round. And managed to equalize the set with 6.3.
Series winner Williams wants to aim high in Wimbledon
In the Champions tie-break of the set played in place of the third set, Williams and Ons Jabeur would eventually come out on top after a hard fight. Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo were able to thwart two match points and even had an opportunity to win the duel themselves - but in the end Williams and Jabeur won 13:11.
For Williams, after the following appearances alongside Jabeur in Wimbledon, it is not just about the historic 24th title in a Grand Slam tournament, but also about winning the eighth title in Wimbledon. Due to the long injury break, however, the American is just an outsider in London.
In the Eastbourne individual competition, Maria Sakkari and Karolina Pliskova surprisingly had to give up on Tuesday.