Erin Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos defeated Serena Williams and Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the Berlin Open.
In doing so, they became the first players to defeat Williams since she made her comeback earlier this month.
Williams had won her first match back in Queen’s, alongside Victoria Mboko against Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
How impressed were you with Serena Williams’ level?
A legendary return!
Routliffe and Olmos were delighted with the win and shared their thoughts during their on-court interview.
Erin Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos say it was ‘such a fun experience’ playing Serena Williams
Routliffe was asked when she last played a first-round doubles match in front of a packed centre court.
“Mine was last week when I played Serena [Williams] in the first round of Queen’s, and she beat me!” she said.
“But it was such a fun experience.
“We love that Serena is playing doubles!
“We play doubles all the time, and it makes people watch more doubles, so we love it.”
Olmos then responded when asked if a good doubles team will always beat two good singles players.
“No, because it doesn’t consistently happen all the time,” she said.
“I think Erin [Routliffe] and I just tried to have a good time out there today, it was honestly an honour for me to be able to share the court with Serena, it’s awesome that she’s back, I’m really happy that she’s back playing, and I think we’re all looking forward to watching her play.”
Serena Williams/Karolina Muchova vs Erin Routliffe/Giuliana Olmos – Match stats
| Stats | Serena Williams/Karolina Muchova | Erin Routliffe/Giuliana Olmos |
| Aces | 1 | 3 |
| Double faults | 0 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 61% | 76% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 65% | 69% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 64% | 69% |
| Break points | 0/4 | 2/4 |
Routliffe then shared whether she was excited or nervous when the draw confirmed she would play Williams for the second week in a row.
“The first time, excited; the second time, I was like, ‘Oh my god…’,” she said.
“Obviously, the draw happens every week, and you never know, and everyone is going to be watching her match, so to be able to be on the other side of the net is such an honour.”
Finally, Olmos was asked if she found it difficult to play the ball rather than the player.
“Well, the draw came out a few days ago, so I’ve been mentally preparing for that,” she said.
“I just tried to focus on our side of the court, engage a lot with Erin, and not really think too much about her.
“Obviously, it’s hard because you see her every single point, but I just tried to stay focused on each point and have fun.”
Routliffe and Olmos will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Sara Errani and Melichar-Martinez.
What went wrong for Serena Williams and Karolina Muchova?
Williams and Muchova played some good tennis during their straight-sets defeat in Berlin, but it wasn’t enough.
The truth is, they didn’t quite mesh together as well as Mboko and Williams did the week before.
There were a few occasions where Williams and Muchova got their wires crossed, and in a game like doubles, where the margins are so fine, that’s what cost them.
Williams will have another opportunity to impress when she returns to Wimbledon later this month.
Earlier on Tuesday, Williams received a doubles wild card for Wimbledon, where she will play with her sister, Venus Williams.
The Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, so there are no concerns about their games working well together.
Venus and Serena could also attend the singles event at Wimbledon, although with only one wild card available, we won’t see both sisters compete.
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday, June 29.
