Williams starts doubles comeback with a win

Serena Williams began her doubles comeback on a high note as the 44-year-old and teenaged partner Victoria Mboko reached the second round at Queen’s Club on Tuesday.

The one-off combination defeated Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2) 6-2 in a stunning display by the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner Williams who had not played a professional match for almost four years.

The veteran never announced a retirement at the time, instead drifting into the millionaire celebrity lifestyle of fashion shows, sponsor appearances and VIP invitations.

Williams was watched at Queen’s by her two daughters 1,375 days after her last Tour match, a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open.

 Williams delivered an ace to set up a pair of match points.

The ad hoc Williams-Mboko pairing broke three times in the 92-minute victory  while dropping serve only once.

 “It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points. I could rely on her. We have never played together but it felt so natural.

“I don’t know. I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?

“I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic.”

As she made the decision for a doubles return, Williams – pledging all to secrecy – flew in a hitting partner, with the 19-year-old Mboko coming aboard only three weeks ago.

Main photo:- Serena Williams smashes – by Mark Greenwood/International Sports Fotos Ltd