WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams’s multilayered quest for glory began slowly as Wimbledon got underway on a warm, sunny Monday, but the five-time champion did what was needed to advance.
Williams, the No. 1 seed, was broken in the first game of her match with the 20-year-old qualifier Margarita Gasparyan and was only points away from trailing, 0-4, in the first set. But at that point she regained her focus, held serve and rallied to a 6-4, 6-1 win on Court 1.
Over on Centre Court, the men’s No. 1 seed, Novak Djokovic, made quick work of Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in what was considered a dangerous matchup when the draw was announced.