Serena Williams in first round ASB Classic action against Pauline Parmenter. Photo / Jason Oxenham
She's on her way. Serena Williams has overcome a difficult start to defeat French woman Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-4 in her first round match at the ASB Classic.
Her hotly anticipated debut didn't disappoint, Williams displaying all of the power, precision and skill that has kept her on the top
of the sport for so long.
But it was nowhere near one way traffic. Williams had a patchy start, broken in her first service game and slipping to a 3-1 deficit. In her first match since last September, there was always going to be some rust, and maybe even some nerves for the veteran American. She wasn't helped by blustery conditions on centre court, with the ball kids struggling to hold the umbrellas up during the change of ends.
And as normally happens in such situations, world No70 Parmentier raised her game. The Frenchwoman - who has never been past the fourth round of a grand slam - at times looked like a world beater.
She served well, and often matched the American stroke for stroke.
