Venus Williams has made a winning return to tennis as she and Jamie Murray have won their mixed doubles opener at Wimbledon.
Williams, 42, and 36-year-old Murray kicked off their team debut on Friday as they beat Alicja Rosolska and Michael Venus 6-3 6-7 (3) 6-3.
Williams and Murray faced two break points in the third game but managed to save them and avoid going down by an early break.
After saving two break points, Williams and Murray claimed the first break of the match in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth game, Rosolska and Venus had a break point but failed to convert as Williams and Murray took a 4-1 lead.
In the seventh game – for the third consecutive service game – Rosolska and Venus had a break point but once didn’t realize as Williams and Murray opened a 5-2 lead.
After facing break points in three consecutive games, Williams and Murray routinely served out for the first set in the ninth game.
Williams, Murray lost a tight second set but won in three sets
After winning the first set, Williams and Murray started the second set with an early break in the third game for a 2-1 lead.
However, Williams and Murray’s lead in the second set was short-lived as Rosolska and Venus broke back in the fourth game to tie the set to two games apiece.
Williams and Murray had a break point in the 11th game but failed to convert and the set eventually went into a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Williams and Murray led 3-2 before Rosolska and Venus won five consecutive points to overturn the deficit and send the match into a decider.
After losing a tight second, Williams and Murray bounced back at the start of the third set as they broke Rosolska and Venus in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead.
In the sixth game, Williams and Murray had a break point which could have given them a double-break lead but they missed out on it.
However, one break of serve was more than enough for Williams and Murray, who served out for the match in the ninth game.
In the next round, Williams and Murray play Alicia Barnett and Jonny O’Mara.