Tennis: Serena Williams wins in WTA Tour return
Serena Williams shook off the rust from a 15-month layoff due to pregnancy to win her opening match at the WTA Indian Wells event with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Zarina Diyas.
The unseeded Williams was the top-ranked player in the world when she began her long layoff following her victory at the 2017 Australian Open, where she was already expecting daughter Alexis Olympia.
Williams entered the court Thursday night to a loud ovation with many in the half full stadium standing and applauding as she came out of the tunnel for just her third appearance in Indian Wells in the last 17 years.
Also great to see Serena back on the court again at the @tiebreaktens event in New York City. She looked great out there and hasn't lost even the tiniest bit of her competitiveness. pic.twitter.com/S6pYloPwkL
— Ash Marshall (@AMarshallSport) March 6, 2018