Serena Suffers Defeat in Long-Awaited Wimbledon Singles Return

n n

Serena Williams’ bid for a fairytale return to Wimbledon was shattered by Australia’s Maya Joint as the American legend’s first singles match in four years ended in a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 defeat on Tuesday.

n

Williams has captured the imagination of the sports world with her sensational comeback, but there was no storybook chapter to add to her astonishing career at the All England Club.

n

Serena was the second-oldest player to feature in the Wimbledon women’s singles in the Open era, after Martina Navratilova, who reached the second round at the age of 47 in 2004.

n

The 44-year-old, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, competed gamely but after so long away it was no surprise that she couldn’t quite roll back the years to subdue an inspired opponent on Centre Court.

n

She saved two match points in the second set and took a tense tussle lasting two hours and 22 minutes to a deciding set, which she led by a break before Joint stormed back to spoil the party.

n

Williams’ Wimbledon adventure isn’t over yet as she is also playing in the doubles with her sister Venus.

n

AFP

n n