Seven-time main champion Venus Williams has misplaced her first aggressive singles match since injuring her hamstring in January, succumbing to 17-year-old Celine Naef 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 on the s’-Hertogenbosch grasscourt match.
With members of the family together with her sister, Serena, within the stands, the 42-year-old Williams battled temperatures round 30 levels Celsius and an opponent making her WTA debut to win the primary set earlier than dropping a second-set tiebreaker and wilting within the decider.
“Amazing. I cannot believe I had the chance to play against Venus,” the Swiss teenager mentioned on courtroom after Tuesday’s victory. “She’s an amazing player and really a role model for everyone.”
Williams injured her hamstring in January in Auckland. She broke first within the second set however Naef fought again to power the tiebreaker and dominated the deciding set.
Kimberley Birrell beat Lesely Pattinama Kerkhove 6-1 6-4 to progress to the second spherical within the Netherlands however fellow Australia Priscilla Hon is out after dropping 6-3 6-0 to American Sachia Vickery.
In the Nottingham match defending champion and up to date French Open semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia suffered a shock defeat to Ukrainian fortunate loser Daria Singer, taking place 6-4 6-3.
Australia’s Olivia Gadecki misplaced 6-4 6-4 to Polish world No.21 Magda Linette.
– with PA
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
