Serena toils to scrappy win
LONDON, June 28
Defending champion Serena Williams stuttered to a low-key and error-strewn 6-2 6-4 first-round victory over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic on Tuesday. Looking ill-at-ease, as though her quest for an elusive 22nd Grand Slam title was weighing heavily on her shoulders, Williams struggled with her serve and sprayed balls wide on both sides of the court. She served three double faults in the fifth game of the first set.
It was Williams’s first match since she lost the French Open final to Garbine Muguruza this month and the American should have had few problems against Macedonian-born Sadikovic, ranked 148th in the world and with little main tour experience. By turns urging herself on and telling herself off, Williams eventually secured match point when her opponent just missed a lob and sealed victory after challenging a wrong call when her shot landed on the far baseline.
Andy eases through
Second seed Andy Murray beat Liam Broady 6-2 6-3 6-4 in a solid start to his bid for a second title.
Stan made to fight
Fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka recovered from a shaky third set to beat American youngster Taylor Fritz 7-6(4) 6-1 6-7(2) 6-4.
Kuznetsova beats Wozniacki
Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 13th seed, beat Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-4 under a closed roof on Centre Court. — Reuters
