Serena Williams beats Peterson in her comeback match in Rome

Serena Williams won her first clay court match of the year 6-4 6-2 against Rebecca Peterson in the first round of the Italian Open.

The Match

Williams lost her serve early and fell behind 3-1, but after that, she started to take control and broke 64th ranked Peterson twice in the fifth and the seventh game to lead the set 4-3. Thereafter Williams held her serve to win the first set 6-4. Serena took full control in the later part of the first set by using her baseline power and did not allow her opponent to make a comeback.

The world no.11 was very strong as expected in the 2^nd set of the match. She broke Peterson twice in the set in the 3^rd (3-1)and the 7^th (5-2) game of the set. While breaking Peterson in the 7^th game, she let out a scream and pumped her fists to show her dominance in the match. She won the 2^nd set 6-2.

The American won the match 6-4 6-2 in 1 hour and 16 minutes.

This was the first game for Williams after she withdrew from the Miami Open in the third round due to a left knee injury. Serena won the Italian Open four times, last time in 2016 which was her last appearance in the tournament before this one.

The fans may also see an all-Williams-sisters second round encounter if Venus Williams wins her match against Elise Mertens.