Serena Williams marked release from quarantine with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) win against Naomi Osaka in an exhibition match in Adelaide.
Williams started the better, winning the opening set with ease after opening up a 4-2 lead ad forcing Osaka errors. Another in game eight saw Williams wrap up the set in under 25 minutes.
Osaka made a better start in the second set and broke her opponent in the first game after a double fault from Williams.
The Japanese star took a 3-1 lead and never looked back, sealing the set with a service winner.
Williams then finished off a tight third set, winning the match tie break 10-7.
After the match, Williams said how good it was t play in front of fans again. Osaka added it was fantastic to play in front of the crowd and wishing for more of that in Melbourne.
Both players now move on to two WTA 500 events in Melbourne next week.
Daniil Medvedev began the fight-back into his accustomed elite ATP status with a struggling 7-5,…
Former champion Stan Wawrinka let a third-set lead slip as the three-time Grand Slam winner…
Novak Djokovic admitted on Sunday that he is carrying muted expectations as the Monte Carlo…
Jannik Sinner has broken his silence as the end of his three-month ban from tennis…
With his 38th birthday in little over a month, Novak Djokovic is understandably thinking of…
Carlos Alcaraz is much more concerned with winning his first career match at the Monte Carlo…