Sport
Serena Williams wins first match at Key Biscayne
US player Serena Williams hits a forehand shot. PHOTO/Pierre Verdy/AFP/Getty Images
Serena Williams looked right at home, and not just because her purple dress matched the color of the court.
Playing in her backyard tournament for the first time since 2009, the five-time champion beat wild card Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday at the Sony Ericsson Open.
The victory marked Williams’ return to tournament tennis after a two-month absence. It was her first match at Key Biscayne since she lost to Victoria Azarenka in the final three years ago.
“I was really nervous out there,” Williams said. “I haven’t played here for so long, and I wanted to do well. My worst fear actually was as long as I don’t hit a ball in the stands, I’ll be good. I didn’t do that today, so it worked out well for me.”
Williams lives two hours up Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida., with sister Venus, who won Wednesday playing her first singles match since August.
American Ryan Harrison, a wild card entry, rallied past Polito Starace 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4 and will next face two-time champion Roger Federer. The second-round match will be a gauge of progress for the 19-year-old Harrison, who is ranked 73rd but has yet to beat a top-10 player.
“He’s very talented,” Federer said, “and I’m sure he’s going to be making his move up the rankings very easily this year and in the coming years. He has a big game.”
