London, Jun 30 (EFE).- Serena Williams, 44, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, went down with honor in her return to the courts at Wimbledon, which she has won seven times, and put up a strong fight against Australia’s Maya Joint, who defeated her 6-3, (6)6-7, 6-3.
In a 2-hour, 24-minute battle played before a packed Center Court, the younger of the Williams sisters, who had not competed in the tournament since 2022, played at a high level and pushed Joint to the limit, forcing her to play her best.
After receiving a wild card from the organizers, the former world No. 1 entered the match highly focused, even earning two break points against her opponent in the fifth game, though she failed to convert either.
The Australian showed no signs of nerves or stage fright; she was very solid on her service games and also managed to unsettle Williams, who was erratic in the first set, with just a 57% first-serve percentage
That lack of effectiveness ultimately took its toll in the first set, and Joint capitalized on a break in the eighth game to immediately consolidate her lead and claim the set.
The blow was hard for the American, who started the second set hesitantly and lost her first service game, allowing the Australian to take the lead.
Williams didn’t give up and had two chances to even the score in the fourth game, but four strong service points from Joint dashed any hopes.
Even so, Serena didn’t give up and secured that long-awaited break, though she was unable to hold serve afterward.
Once again trailing 4-3, the former world No. 1 rallied to make up for lost ground and saved four break points in the tenth game after committing two consecutive double faults, forcing a tiebreak, where she showed her best form.
Riding that momentum, the Compton native made her presence felt in the opening game and took the lead in the third, when she secured the break, though she was unable to hold her serve.
Four consecutive games by the Australian gave her an insurmountable lead, and Joint closed out the match on her serve on her second match point.
After the match, Center Court bid Serena farewell with applause at the All England Club. EFE
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