Wimbledon: Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback came to an end in a first-round loss to little-known Frenchwoman Harmony Tan on Centre Court.
Williams was rusty and error-prone as she took the court for the first time since leaving the big stage prematurely and in tears after suffering a hamstring injury in the first round a year ago.
After coming back from a set down and then saving a match point in the 12th game of the decider, she looked like she might stumble over the finish line, cheered on by a supportive crowd.
Williams, however, suffered her third first-round loss at a grand slam, falling 7-5 1-6 7-6 (10-7) in a deciding tie-break at 10.35 p.m. after three hours and ten minutes.
It's always great seeing Serena Williams on a tennis court. ❤️️ pic.twitter.com/45RVY1Auw0
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 28, 2022
Your moment, Harmony ✨#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1OrOM6JkeL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 28, 2022
The American’s time in the game is clearly coming to an end at the age of 40, but she remained vague about her future plans and refused to rule out a return to Wimbledon next year.
“Like I said coming into this, I’m just planning for right now, seeing how I feel, just to go from there,” she said.
Pressed on whether it was her farewell to the All England Club, Williams added: “That’s a question I can’t answer. I don’t know. Who knows? Who knows where I’ll pop up.”
Williams rallied from a shaky start to lead 4-2 in the first set, but 21 unforced errors proved costly.
She regained her composure after a short break to close the roof, easily winning the second set, and it appeared she might make it through when she led 3-1 in the decider.
Williams, on the other hand, was unable to capitalise on a 4-0 lead in the tie-break, with Tan celebrating the best moment of her career.
“I think I did pretty well physically,” Williams said. “I think I was really suffering in the last couple of points.”
“But I feel like in just those key points, winning some of those points, is always something mentally that you kind of need. I did pretty good on maybe one or two of them, but obviously not enough.”
Silky Swiatek creates even more history
Iga Swiatek, the world number one, set a new record by winning her 36th match in a row against Jana Fett on Centre Court.
Swiatek’s incredible streak, which began in February and has seen her win six tournaments, is the longest in the twenty-first century, breaking Venus Williams’ record set in 2000.
The two-time French Open champion, a heavy favourite for the title, took advantage of the prestigious opening slot on Centre Court, which is usually reserved for the defending champion, and defeated Croatian Fett 6-0, 6-3.
Due to the retirement of defending champion Ashleigh Barty, Swiatek was given the honour of opening play on the main show court, and she looked completely at ease, handing her opponent a 33-minute bagel.
Fett, who had an active warm-up on the grass, threatened a comeback as she led 3-1 in the second set, her first match since winning at Roland Garros.
She had three break points to make it 4-1, but Swiatek escaped, and the Pole quickly rattled off five games in a row to extend her unbeaten streak.
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