Venus makes winning return in Eastbourne

 

Originally published on: 14/06/11 10:35

Venus Williams played – and won – her first match since January at the AEGON International in Eastbourne yesterday.

The American hadn’t contested a competitive match since retiring hurt midway through her fourth round clash with Andrea Petkovic at the Australian Open, but put her hip and abdominal injuries firmly behind her to defeat the German 7-5 5-7 6-3.

“I got through with no injuries and that’s a huge win for me,” said Williams after securing her spot in round two at Devonshire Park. “Before the match I was just thinking about not getting hurt. I hoped to play the match with no injuries and just be able to finish.”

Gearing up for an assault at her sixth Wimbledon title at the Eastbourne warm-up to the most prestigious Grand Slam in tennis, 30-year-old Venus added:

“More than anything though I wanted to play really well to get another match in, which is crucial for me.

“I felt like I am competing pretty well and just getting a feel for everything out there again. I don’t think she (Petkovic) made a lot of errors. Maybe a few here and there, because she was going for it, but I thought she played really really well.”

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