Serena Williams happy to win after returning from life-threatening ailment

Serena Williams made a winning return to tennis after almost a year out of action as she reached the second round of the AEGON Championships at Eastbourne yesterday.

The former World No 1 has been sidelined since winning Wimbledon last year, first by a severe cut to her foot and then by multiple blood clots which she said left her "literally on (her) deathbed".


USA's Serena Williams returns to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova during
yesterday's AEGON International first round match in Eastbourne.
Serena won 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. PIC/AFP

She made a dreadful start, losing the first set 6-1 to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, but battled back to complete a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in two hours and four minutes on centre court. "I'm a little rusty, but I really enjoy playing here and being back on grass," the American said.

"I'm just taking it one day at time, I hope you guys enjoyed the match and come back out and give me a little cheer, because I really need it and I'm so happy to be back."

Another former World
No 1, Ana Ivanovic, saw off Germany's Julia Goerges 6-4 6-3 despite a first serve percentage of just 46%.

Fourth seed Francesca Schiavone had to battle through a long first set tie-break but then accelerated past Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-6 (9/7) 6-1. France's Marion Bartoli came through a final set tie-break to beat Czech Lucie Safarovau00a0 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) .