Williams cruises through first round of Olympics tennis
WORLD No 1 Serena Williams progressed through the first round off the Rio Olympics tennis yesterday despite an error-strewn strewn performance that was not helped by windy conditions that delayed play on most of the smaller tennis nis courts.
Williams won 6-4 6-2 against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova, ranked 42 in the world, but she was far from her best.
The 34-year-oldd grew increasingly frustrated as the match wore on butut was rarely threatened by Gavrilova on centre court.
A ripping wind d delayed the start of most tennis matches on the secondecond day, while even those playing on the more protectedcted Centre Court fell foul to the conditions.
“That was first time of my life that I play in (such) terrible conditions. ns. The wind was so fast and the match become soo ugly,” said Thomaz Bellucci,ucci, the top-ranked Brazilianian who opened on centre e court. “It was almost impossible.”possible.”
Bellucci, ranked d 55 in the world, scrapedd through into the second roundound after Germany’s Dustinn Brown rolled his ankle and had to retire despite leadingeading 6-4 4-5.
Gusts of wind alsolso caused havoc with fans as their plastic cups were sent flying and umbrellas at foodood tables had to be loweredd in case they overturned.
Top seeds Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal were also due to play yesterday. — SuperSport