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Serena Williams registered her first victory since the 2021 French Open on Monday as she defeated Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 6-3, 6-4 at the women’s National Bank Open. Williams had a great start and took the first two games with ease. But then Parrizas-Diaz tied it 2-2.
The American Tennis star had a few struggles but the 31-year-old Spaniard couldn’t take advantage. Williams found her rhythm as she brought her touch with her signature power as she sent out shot after shot out of Parrizas-Diaz’s reach. As Serena was powering through her opponent, fans in the stadium were on their feet roaring.
Williams won the final three games and took the first set as she surged ahead in the second after the 57th-ranked Parrizas-Diaz took a 4-3 lead. Serena fended away a nine-deuce game to hold serve and even the set. She then broke Nuria’s serve in the next game before serving out the victory.
This is the second tournament of the season that Williams took part in as she returned to the pros at Wimbledon last month. The 23-time Grand Slam champion fell short in the first round to Harmony Tan in three sets. After her victory in Toronto, Williams jokingly expressed that she had forgotten the feeling of victory. “I’m just happy to get a win. It’s been a very long time, I forgot what that felt like,” Williams said.
She then opened up about how she is nearing her former self and as she is looking at the end of the table. “I’m getting closer to the light. Lately, that’s been it, I can’t wait to get to that light,” she said. “I love playing though, it’s amazing. I can’t do this forever, so sometimes you just want to try your best to enjoy the moments and do the best that you can.”