Daily Mirror

Serena’s late night

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

SUPER mum Serena Williams battled back to beat Aussie Ashleigh Barty in the dark.

In only her second Grand Slam match as a mother, the American superstar fell a set and a break down to the world No.17.

But Williams powered back to win 3-6 6-3 6-4 at 9.14pm local time to set up a third-round clash with No.11 seed Julia Goerges.

The world No.451, who is unseeded, said: “I am very happy and excited to play here again. I don’t know how I turned around. I lost the first set and thought, ‘I just got to try harder’ and Serena came out.”

Williams’ potential fourth-round foe Maria Sharapova is seeking a return to the big stage tomorrow after beating Donna Vekic 7-5 6-4 on Court 1.

The five-time Grand Slam champion, banned here in 2016 and did not receive a wildcard last year, faces No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova next up.

“I would love to be on centre court again, of course,” said the Russian.

 ??  ?? PUMPED UP Williams battled way past Barty
PUMPED UP Williams battled way past Barty

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