Williams’ thrilling return ends with Tan triumphant

Wimbledon is in full swing, and we’ve already been treated to some fantastic tennis. Nick Kyrgios’ clash with Paul Jubb was thoroughly entertaining, Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray made winning starts to their campaigns, and Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Jan-Lennard Struff was as gripping a game as we are likely to see.

However, a great deal of first-round focus was upon Tuesday’s clash between Harmony Tan and the returning Serena Williams, with the American making her return to Wimbledon after limping off Centre Court with an ankle injury last year.

It was always set to be a fantastic clash, as youth jostled with experience – Tan of course making her Wimbledon debut – but the excitement around the court was such that the umpire even had to hush the crowd during rallies.

The encounter lasted a stunning three hours and 11 minutes, making it remarkable that the all-time great Williams, at the age of 40, was able to keep pace with her French counterpart for that long.

Tan had the better of the opening exchanges, claiming a break in the first game, though Williams sealed a break with a smash immediately afterwards, setting the tone for a feisty matchup.

The pair continued to trade breaks, with both players made to sweat as they covered every blade of grass on the prestigious court.

Tan’s break in the 11th game allowed her to serve at set point, and she was not to pass up such an opportunity, claiming the first set 7-5.

After a first set where Williams did appear a little rusty at times – and understandably so – she showed no signs of wear as she took control of the second set, highlighted by a near 20-minute second game, which included 12 deuces, as Williams fought to a 5-0 lead.

Tan held for one game, bringing it back to 5-1, but Williams served out to secure her 6-1 victory and force a third set.

There’s definitely lots of motivation to get better and to play at home

– Serena Williams

The American, now ranked 1,204th in the world, did excellently to break for 5-4 in the decider, but although she fell to her knees in celebration, her joy turned out to be premature, as Tan broke once more, and the match was taken to a final-set tie-break.

Serena Williams charged into a 4-0 lead in the tie-break, but Harmony Tan was not to go down without a fight – after some fantastic winners, it was the Frenchwoman who claimed the day, as Williams’ forehand hit flew into the net on match point.

Tan was full of joy and admiration following the conclusion of the intense battle, saying: “It’s a dream because… I saw Serena on the TV when I was young. She’s a legend. When you play her, I was scared. I mean, I was scared when I was on the court, but really happy to be there.”

After a year out of the game, it was a spectacular performance from Williams, though many fans are now left wondering if that will be her final appearance in SW19.

Hunting down Margaret Court’s all-time record – 24 Grand Slam singles titles – it seems unlikely that Williams will be stepping away from the game entirely without good reason.

Following her first-round exit, she said that she was “obviously not” happy with that being her last match at Wimbledon.

However, she did note that she “gave all [she] could do” on the day, and “at some point you have to be able to be okay with that”.

The nature of her defeat – extremely close-fought – does mean that she is motivated to continue working hard and potentially appear at the US Open in August and September later this year.

“I mean, when you’re at home, especially in New York, and the US Open, that being the first place I’ve won a Grand Slam, is something that’s always super special.

“There’s definitely lots of motivation to get better and to play at home.”