(June 25, 2013) Serena Williams began the defense of her Wimbledon crown in dominating style by conquering Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella 6-1, 6-3 in a first round match on Tuesday on Centre Court.
Williams did not lose a point on her serve in the first set which captured in 19 minutes. The 92nd ranked Minella took a 2-0 lead to open the second set when Williams double faulted on a break point.
Williams stormed back by winning the next four games and broke serve to seal the match. Williams has extended her career-best winning streak to 32
She’s now 68-8 at Wimbledon.
The world No. 1 assessed her play:
“I feel like I was a little rusty for some reason today. I don’t feel like I played my best. I felt really upset when I lost my serve in the second set.
“With that being said, I think Mandy played really well. I thought she was really mixing up her shots, mixing up her game. It wasn’t an easy match for me. I’m a little excited I was able to play a tough match and to get through it.”
Kimiko Date-Krumm ©Tennis Panorama
The 42-year-old veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm demolished 18-year-old German qualifier Carina Witthoeft 6-0, 6-2.
Date-Krumm retired at 25 but made a comeback at 37 in 2008
“When I come back, I’m enjoying very much, even I’m losing,” said the Japanese tennis player. “Of course, after losing, always very disappointed. But still I’m enjoying very much.
“I have a lot of passion. I like challenge because not easy for my age.”
Date-Krumm is the second oldest player to win a match at Wimbledon. Martina Navratilova was 47 when she won a first round match in 2004.
Sixth seed Li Na had an easy time with Michaella Krajicek winning 6-1, 6-1.
In a battle of young up and comers, USA’s Madison Keys defeated Great Britain’s Heather Watson 6-3, 7-5.
For Keys it was her first win at the All England Club.
“I was definitely pretty nervous at the beginning,” Keys said. “Once I started playing the match a little bit, getting into it, felt a lot better.
“After winning my first one, feel really good about it.”