Top Seed Open: Serena Williams wins on return, to face Venus next

Wednesday, 12 August 2020 at 13:01

Serena Williams made a winning return to competitive tennis as she defeated Bernarda Pera at the Top Seed Open in Lexington.

Despite a slow start, Willams scored 4-6 6-4 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes.

"I knew I could play a little bit better if I hung in," she said.

Serena advances to the second round and will face her older sister, Venus, who secured a 6-3 6-2 winner over Victoria Azarenka.

Elsewhere, 16-year-old world number 53 Coco Gauff overcame fellow American Caroline Dolehide 7-5 7-5.

The tournament played out to an empty arena following restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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