Serena is the great survivor
MATTHEW LAMBERT
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was given a scare by 18-year-old Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan but eventually came through 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. Now Serena Williams, having taken care of the serious business, can focus on today’s mixed doubles outing with Andy Murray.
Before the fun of the mixed doubles could begin, Serena Williams had to take care of the serious business of keeping herself in this tournament.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was given a scare by 18-year-old Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan, but eventually came through 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
She was not at her best physically or technically, but she is through to the third round of the singles and can look forward to teaming up with Andy Murray this evening against the unheralded pairing of Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi.
‘Playing with a British icon like Andy will be amazing,’ said the 37-year-old after booking a meeting with Germany’s No 18 seed Julia Georges. ‘I feel honoured to share the court with him and maybe I can learn a thing or two.’
Mixed doubles has never shaken its hit-and-giggle reputation at the top level but this partnership holds a purpose for Williams.
She has entered only six tournaments this year and did not play at all between June 1 and Wimbledon. She needs court time and the mixed doubles will give her that.
‘It made sense for me because I really could use some matches,’ said Williams. ‘It made sense for him. We both want to do well. We both love Wimbledon.’
Asked what she could learn from another champion, she said: ‘Andy is a great player. He is mentally one of the toughest out there. It’s interesting to hear what other champions think, how you can apply it to your game. It’s a win-win situation for me. Hopefully it will be for him as well.’
Williams looked like her game could do with a jump-start against Juvan.
The world No 133 played with poise and style on her Wimbledon debut. She had never faced a player inside the top 50 but was outplaying the great American early on.
Serving at 5-2 down, Serena hit two double faults and netted an overhead to complete a wretched opening set.
Williams hit five double faults and it took until the fourth game of the second set for her to land an ace. But Serena, watched from the Court 1 stands by the Duchess of Sussex, gradually found her range and closed out the match with back-to-back aces.
‘It was definitely coming together as the match went on,’ she said. ‘I’m just low on matches. I could feel it. But I’m getting there.’