Serena Williams’ first match since confirming her return to skilled tennis has been minimize quick after an harm to doubles companion Victoria Mboko compelled the pair to withdraw from the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Membership.
The 23-time grand slam singles champion made a profitable return on Tuesday as she and teenager Mboko beat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.
Nonetheless, Mboko subsequently suffered a left knee harm in her singles match with Karolina Pliskova, forcing her to retire from that contest within the second set.
Williams and Mboko have been because of face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, who will now obtain a walkover into the semi-finals.
Serena units sights on Berlin, with Wimbledon nonetheless a question-mark
For Williams, consideration turns to subsequent week’s Berlin Open, the place she will continue her comeback in the doubles.
The American will play alongside Karolina Muchova, who’s ranked tenth on the earth in singles.
Williams’ plans past the Berlin Open are unknown, and she or he nonetheless has time to determine on that includes at Wimbledon this yr.
The first wild cards for Wimbledon are because of be introduced on Monday. Nonetheless, Williams might theoretically wait and make her resolution simply earlier than the beginning of qualifying on June 22.
Whereas compatriot Andy Roddick has tipped Williams for a singles comeback, the 44-year-old indicated that isn’t in her plans for the time being.
Talking earlier than her opening win at Queen’s, Williams mentioned: “Proper now, no. I really feel like I in all probability want to coach just a little bit extra if I need to play singles. We’ll see if I get there. And if not . . . that’s not my journey proper now.”
