|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Shaking off the rust Serena wins Wimbledon opener in straight sets
Posted: Tuesday June 27, 2000 01:49 AM
LONDON (Reuters) -- Eighth seed Serena Williams made a successful comeback from an injury on Monday to beat Swede Asa Carlsson 6-3, 6-2 in the first round at Wimbledon. The U.S. Open champion was playing her first match since being sidelined by a knee injury in April and had to shake off rustiness and contend with a serve which, at times, proved more of a liability than a weapon on Court Three. "That wasn't easy by any means," she said. "But it was good that I was out there on court and getting some match practice. "The knee was good and I am glad I was able to take that time off to get it better. It's not like 200 percent or anything but it's getting there -- I don't have to worry about it any more." Williams started slowly, taking seven tries to get a first serve into play, but she eventually held after fighting off five break points. Once ahead, Williams gained her confidence and raced through the second set despite being broken once. The victory saw Williams maintain her perfect record over the 38th-ranked Carlsson. She has now won all three of their meetings. "Despite my break, I feel tournament tough," Williams said afterward. "Grass suits my game and I should be dominating here. If any of my fans have been disappointed then there's no need to be disappointed any more. "Stay tuned because there is going to be lots of action." Williams pulled out of the 1999 tournament at the last minute. Williams said she was determined to do well and boost her ranking. "I don't like it down here (as eighth seed)... it's just not me," she said. Williams's elder sister Venus, seeded five, defeated Kveta Hrdlickova on Monday.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
