The former World No. 1 beat Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-3 to win her first singles match since January, 2017
08:13 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
“At my age, I see the finish line. And when you see the finish line, you don’t slow down. You speed up.”@serenawilliams https://t.co/ohs4xuFqcg #USOpen pic.twitter.com/wQEBvHw1XS
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) March 9, 2018
08:12 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Greatness returns. @SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/EFGXl2gkBA
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) March 9, 2018
08:11 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
That is a great way to come back to the game @serenawilliams . Congratulations.
— PATRICKMOURATOGLOU (@pmouratoglou) March 9, 2018
08:11 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Early observations
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) March 9, 2018
Serena can still crush the ball
Serena can still hit aces
Serena can still feast on 2d serves
Serena is still finding her sea legs
08:10 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Someone just yelled, "You're my queen, Serena!" And another fan followed it with, "Same!"
— D'Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) March 9, 2018
08:10 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Serena owns a rich big-picture perspective, tested and shaped by health scares and the natural process of evolving as a person.
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) March 9, 2018
There is surely a part of her which is simply happy to be playing.....
.... and yet, between the painted lines, she is fully invested in this match.
08:10 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
The Goat is back!! Great to see Serena victorious in her return!
— Steve Weissman (@Steve_Weissman) March 9, 2018
08:09 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
#Serena says Azarenka has been so helpful. She gave me tips on being a mom. She's such a great mom.
— INSIDE TENNIS (@BillSimons1) March 9, 2018
08:09 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Serena didn’t fluff too many lines on her latest opening night. Some rust, sure, but also some powerful and sweet ball striking and solid serving in a 7-5 6-3 win over Zarina Diyas #BNPPO18
— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) March 9, 2018
08:09 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
"It just wasn’t my time to retire yet even though it would have been a great way to retire. I just felt like my story wasn't over" -- Serena on coming back
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) March 9, 2018
08:08 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Just *TRY* to wipe that smile off Serena Williams' face 😄#BNPPO18
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2018
🎥 @WTA pic.twitter.com/8X9e45QP3D
08:08 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
The most impressive thing to me tonight is how well Serena is handling the awkward shots. The ones in weird places in the court that require you to improvise. She’s on it.
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) March 9, 2018
08:07 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Serena Williams on where she's at: "From zero to Serena, I’m at the ‘S’, I’ve got a way to go for the rest"
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) March 9, 2018
08:07 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
She is a survivor , she is a role model to millions , she is a champion in every way. She is Serena Williams & she is a queen & the queen is back & it’s the best thing ever!! Congrats on an amazing match @serenawilliams 👏🏼
— Darko Grncarov (@DarkoGrncarov) March 9, 2018
08:06 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Wanna know why Serena Williams is a once in a lifetime athlete?
— Matt Dowell (@TheMattDowell) March 9, 2018
She grew a human inside of her, gave birth to that human, almost died after giving birth, & is currently on a pro tennis court competing with the world #53 in one of the world’s biggest tournies just 6 months later
08:06 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Game, set, Serena.
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2018
In her first official match as a mom, Serena Williams is just as we remembered her: A winner.
She beats Zarina Diyas 7-5 6-3. Next up: No. 29 Kiki Bertens #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/hKg1lkPNfQ
08:06 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
404 days later, she's back.
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2018
Serena Williams returns to the #BNPPO18, her first event since the 2017 Australian Open https://t.co/8oPqrFTni1
08:05 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
She’s back. @serenawilliams earns her first win since January 2017, defeats Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-3 @BNPPARIBASOPEN. https://t.co/RJwIhAxTNs #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/lp9kGvBDp6
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 9, 2018
08:05 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
That performance from Serena was almost the ultimate reminder that, with Serena, what happens in exhibitions almost always stays in exhibitions. A lot of encouraging signs.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) March 9, 2018
08:04 (GMT)9 MAR 2018
Serena Williams comes back to the tour with a good win over Zarina Diyas, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the 2nd round of the #BNPPO18
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 9, 2018
SHE IS BACK! pic.twitter.com/CE5yM1oPx5