Game Time Nation (206)

WIMBLEDON, England

Defending champion Serena Williams recovered from a poor start to defeat Simona Halep 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 Thursday and move into the third round of Wimbledon, staying on course for a fifth title…..After dropping the first set, Williams regained her renowned intensity and powerful shot-making to dominate the rest of the way on Court 2. The winner of 13 Grand Slam singles titles is still searching for her form after a yearlong absence because of injuries and health issues.

There were no tears this time from Williams, who sobbed with relief on Monday after winning her opening match on Centre Court against Aravane Rezai.

”I’m just happy to be playing and hopefully I’ll get better as the tournament goes on,” Williams said. ”It was a little windy out there and I just was a little tight so I just got to relax and enjoy myself more.”

From 4-2 in the second set, the seventh-seeded American won eight out of the last nine games to re-establish her supremacy on the grass at the All England Club, pumping a clenched fist and shouting ”Come on!” after smacking key winners.

It was the fourth consecutive three-setter Williams has played since returning last week at the Eastbourne grass-court tournament. She had been out for nearly a year after two foot operations and blood clots in her lungs.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP)

Returning to Grand Slam tennis after a year away with health problems, Serena Williams opened her Wimbledon title defense Tuesday by beating Aravane Rezai in three sets — then burst into tears on Centre Court…After serving her 13th ace to close a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory, Williams buried her face in her towel and sobbed from her courtside chair. She was still crying as she left the court, overcome with emotion after enduring a long layoff that included two foot operations and treatment for blood clots in her lungs.

”I usually don’t cry … but it’s just been so hard,” the four-time Wimbledon champion said. ”I never dreamt I would be here right now. And then to win. I just wanted to win at least one match here.”

Meanwhile, the sequel to the longest match in tennis history proved to be a quick, one-sided affair this time.

John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6) in just over two hours – a far cry from their 11-hour, 5-minute marathon over three days last year that Isner finally won 70-68 in the fifth set.

The women’s draw has taken on a completely different look since the sudden return of the Williams sisters. Serena won one match at Eastbourne, Venus two. Both looked threatening, although Serena, inevitably, appeared to lack match play more than her sister, who has been out of the game only six months compared with 12.….But it would be impossible to rule either or both being involved at the sharp end of the tournament. With all due respect to their rivals, Serena and Venus when playing near their best are better than anyone else on grass — and maybe on other surfaces, too.

But it is all about proving it. Serena is wary of making predictions and just talks about being happy to play again. Venus, bolder, says she is here to win. As she has done so five times, she can’t be ruled out….“Obviously no one wants to play them,” says Caroline Wozniacki, the world No. 1 who is trying to get past the problem of never having won a Grand Slam….Maria Sharapova added, “Absolutely, it’s good for the game to have them back. They’ve been champions here many years. They’re obviously the ones to beat on grass.”

The Truth about American Tennis

FACTS OF FUTILITY

American tennis is at one of its lowest points in years. A look at some of the facts and figures:

Last US man to win a major — Andy Roddick, 2003 US Open

Last US woman to win a major — Serena Williams, 2010 Wimbledon

Last US woman other than a Williams sister to win a major — Jennifer Capriati, 2002 U.S. Open

Highest-ranked US man under 23 years old — Donald Young, No. 123

Highest-ranked US woman under 23 years old — Christina McHale, No. 74

a lil mo’ Serena 4 ya