WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams had a winning return to the All England Club, defeating Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday.
Williams, a seven-time champion, missed last year’s tournament while pregnant.
She broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set and led 40-15 when serving for the match, but Rus saved the first two match points and then another three after reaching deuce.
Despite being ranked 181st, Williams was given the No. 25 seed for this tournament as she seeks her record-tying 24th Grand Slam title.