Triumphant grand slam return for Williams

PARIS: Former world No 1 Serena Williams made a triumphant return to grand slam tennis yesterday, defeating Czech Kristyna Pliskova 76 (74), 64 in the first round of the French Open.

Williams recovered from 30 down in the tiebreak to claim an intense opening set before converting three break points in the second to seal the victory.

The 36yearold American was competing in her first major since lifting her 23rd grand slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, having given birth to her daughter last September.

Twice champion Maria Sharapova overcame a midmatch blip to secure a 61, 46, 63 win over Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp while third seed Garbine Muguruza also progressed, beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 76 (70), 62 in a clash of former champions.

World No 7 seven Caroline Garcia produced a stellar display to beat China’s Duan Yingying 61, 60 in 58 minutes to become the fourth Frenchwoman into this year’s second round.

Women’s top seed Simona Halep will have to wait for another day to get on court after her firstround match against American Alison Riske was postponed yesterday.

In the men’s draw, defending champion and top seed Rafa Nadal began his campaign with a raindelayed 64, 63, 76 (119) victory over Italian Simone Bolelli.

Resuming 30 down in the third set, the Spaniard roared back to force a tiebreak before wrapping up the win in damp conditions.

Earlier , third seed Marin Cilic looked in fine form as he eased past Australian James Duckworth 63, 75, 76 (74) while fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro, a semifinalist in 2009, recovered from a slow start to beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 16, 61, 62, 64.

British No 1 Kyle Edmund booked a place in the second round with a 62, 64, 63 victory over Australian Alex de Minaur.

Canadian teenage sensation Denis Shapovalov hit 32 winners to collect his first maindraw win at Roland Garros, defeating Australian John Millman 75, 64 ,62.

New Zealanders Michael Venus and Artem Sitak both won their firstround doubles matches yesterday.

Defending champion Venus and South African partner Raven Klaasen beat the French wildcard pair of Corentin Denolly and Alexandre Muller 63, 63, completing the win just before play was suspended due to rain.

While Venus’ was the first match to be completed on day three, Sitak’s was the last as he and Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof came from a set down to beat the GermanCroatian pair of Andre Begemann and Antonio Sancic 67 (47), 62, 64. — Reuters/NZME