JABAR EKSPRES – Venus Williams earned her first win over a top-50 opponent in four years as the former world number one defeated Camila Giorgi at the WTA event in Birmingham on Monday (6/19) local time.
Shrugging off a knee problem that required treatment in the first set and left her close to tears, Williams won her singles match for the second time in almost two years.
The 43-year-old battled to a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) first round win over world number 48 Giorgi in three hours and 16 minutes.
Williams had competed in a grass-court event in the Netherlands last week for her first tournament appearance since January, and she looked tired against Giorgi.
Even so, the five-time Wimbledon champion put in a stunning performance.
She converted her second match point in the final set tie-break, raising her arms up and repeatedly clenching her fists as the crowd roared with delight.
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Williams may be entering the twilight of her glittering career, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion still relishes the feeling of winning a hard-fought match.
“This one is especially sweet because I’ve been off the tour for so long,” Williams said, as broadcast by AFP on Tuesday (6/20).
“The last few years I’ve had little to no matches and it’s been very challenging.”
“I almost feel like when I’m on the court, I’m reminded of things I used to do that worked really well, so there’s a lot of memories and deja vu.”
Williams will face a last-16 match against either Czech Linda Noskova or Latvian second seed Jelena Ostapenko.
“Tennis is amazing. There are so many people who want to do what I’m doing now, so I don’t take it for granted,” Williams said.
“I faced some big challenges in the match. I think that brings emotion.”
