Competing for the first first time in almost a year, Serena Williams made a winning return in the doubles draw in Eastbourne. Serena and Ons Jabeur fended off a match point in a 2-6, 6-3, 11-9 triumph over Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo in an hour and 33 minutes. As was expected, Serena needed some time to find the rhythm in her first competitive match since the last year’s Wimbledon, struggling in the opener but raising the level in set number two to make her team competitive. Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo played a flawless opening set, barely losing a point on serve and breaking both Serena and Ons for 6-2 in no time.
Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur saved a match point in Eastbourne.
Williams and Jabeur experienced another break at 1-1 in the second set and trailed again at 2-3. Still, they were ready to fight after pulling both breaks back to remain on the positive side. Serena and Ons served well in the closing stages and grabbed a break in game eight to take the set 6-3 and force the deciding match tie break. Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo saved the match points at 8-9 and 9-10 before creating their own at 11-10. Marie placed a lob long, and Serena and Ons claimed three straight points to seal the deal and advance into the next round.