Venus Williams’s return to motion following a five-month harm layoff has resulted in defeat because the seven-times grand slam champion fell to Swiss teenager Celine Naef in three units on the Libema Open grasscourt event.
With sister Serena, who retired final yr, watching on within the crowd, the 42-year-old Williams began brightly however misplaced the intently fought second within the tiebreak earlier than fading within the decider on Tuesday in Romalen.
The former world No.1, a five-times winner at Wimbledon, misplaced 3-6 7-6 (6-3) 6-2 to 17-year-old Naef in two hours and 18 minutes.
“I cannot believe I had the chance to play against Venus,” Naef mentioned after her first win on the WTA Tour. “She’s an amazing player and really a role model for anyone.”
Williams, who was handed a wildcard for the event, had been sidelined since January after sustaining a hamstring harm in Auckland that pressured her to withdraw from the Australian Open.
She gained her final main singles title on the grasscourt grand slam in 2008. This yr’s Wimbledon event begins on July 3.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
