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Solid Serena gets over first hurdle Posted: Tuesday June 24, 2003 4:18 PMLONDON (Reuters) -- Serena Williams opened her Wimbledon defense with a solid if not overly impressive 6-3 6-3 first-round win over fellow American Jill Craybas on Tuesday. Striding on to court 24 hours after men's champion Lleyton Hewitt had been humbled on the same stage, a steely eyed Williams took in her surroundings as she unveiled her rather understated orange-trimmed white outfit. "I was a bit nervous today and I don't know why. I didn't want to lose in the first round but once those first few games were over I was okay," said the top seed. "Obviously I was aware what happened yesterday and I don't take anything for granted. I didn't want to create history by having both defending champions going out in the first round." Determined to avoid the fate of Hewitt, Williams often paid the price for putting too much power behind her shots. With a gentle breeze floating over the sun-drenched Centre Court, Williams tried to blast her 67th-ranked opponent off the court but instead saw the ball fall wide time and again. Despite claiming three games in the opening set, the 28-year-old Craybas managed to hit only one winner -- a backhand volley in the sixth game. With only 10 wins all season, Craybas simply lacked the expertise to conjure up the winners and netted an easy backhand to lose the first set in 24 minutes. Playing her first match since her bitter defeat to Justin Henin-Hardenne in the French Open semifinals earlier this month, Williams was again her worst enemy in the second. Distracted by a broken string on her racket midway through the fourth game, she allowed her opponent to break back and level for 2-2. That, however, was the last time Craybas was to draw loud applause from the crowd. From then on, Williams charged ahead and wrapped up victory with the loss of only one more game. Williams will next face Belgian Els Callens, a player the American once rated had a better grasscourt game than seven-times Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf, for a place in the third round. Serena smiling again as Paris memories fadeLONDON (Reuters) -- The smile was back on Serena Williams's face as she began the defense of her Wimbledon crown on Monday. The world number one's demeanor at the All England Club was in stark contrast to her last public appearance just over two weeks ago. Booed and jeered by a hostile Parisian crowd, Williams was reduced to tears after she was beaten in the French Open semifinals by eventual winner Justine Henin-Hardenne. Unable to accept that she had lost her Roland Garros crown, she had also accused the Belgian of "lying and fabricating" during the tight three-set defeat. But having had time to reflect on the experience, the 21-year-old Williams was eager to put the episode behind her. Referring to her tears, the world number one joked: "My eyes were watering [in Paris]. So that's a correction. "Even though I win a lot, I'm human. I'm just a young lady trying to make my way in life and you can't expect everything to be perfect all the time. "When I got home I was a little upset for a few days but then just got on with practicing. "People at home obviously saw the match and they seemed to really support me, especially at home in Palm Beach. I have the biggest fan base there." Williams, winner of four of the last five grand slam titles, was however glad to be welcomed on to the Wimbledon Centre Court where she began her campaign with a 6-3 6-3 win over fellow American Jill Craybas. "I heard a large roar and clap [when I walked out] and that was really nice but I wasn't really listening for it," the top seed said. Although the media are already hyping up the expected showdown in the semifinals here with Henin-Hardenne, Williams refused to be drawn into a war of words. "I have always been gracious and I don't have anything negative to say about any other person," she said. "I'll always be that way."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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