Wimbledon 2018: Serena Williams powers into the second round; Yuki Bhambri knocked out

Serena Williams on her return to the Wimbledon grass court for the first time since 2016 powered her way to a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Arantxa Rus on Monday.

The seven-time champion who since lifting the title two years ago has not featured in the competition, was far from from her fluid best on return but still notched up a comfortable win through sheer power and game management, her Dutch opponent coming nowhere close to matching them.

Rus had however begun well putting immediate pressure on the American after racing to 30-0 on her serve but Williams came back roaring into the game and let out her scream in celebration as she moved 1-0 ahead.

Then at 1-1 in the second set, Williams should won the game when one of her smash went through the court, but the refereee signalled otherwise and Rus had a point, it brought the World No. 125 back into the contest and for a moment the game seemed to have shifted to her end at 3-1 and with Williams behind at 0-30 in the fifth game.

But making her return after giving birth to her daughter Olympia, Williams ensured no hiccups digging deep and using her powerful forehand cross to the utmost, to seal the victory.

It was her 15th straight victory at the All England Club and the last time she lost was in the third round Alize Cornet in 2014. She won the title in the two following years but refrained from participating in 2017 after a pectoral injury had forced her to pull out of the French open.

Stan Warinka stuns Grigor Dimitrov

Stan Warinka fought his way back to stun sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov 6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in the opening round of Wimbledon, on Monday.

The Swiss, a three-time Grand Slam champion has slumped to 224th after his knee injury, which had ended his season early last year. But the two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist bounced back to upset Dimitrov who let slip a 5-2 lead in the third set and Wawrinka muscled past him to record his first win over a top-10 player on grass court.

He will face Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano – who defeated India’s Yuki Bhambri – in the Second round.

Yuki Bhambri crashes out of Wimbledon

The lone Indian player in the men’s singles and 85th ranked Yuki Bhambri failed to capitalise on his good start against Italian Fabbiano and crashed out of the tournament after losing 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 2-6 in the opening round on Monday.

Yuki had started well and won the opening set but once again fell prey to his nemesis Fabbiano, against whom the Indian is yet to win a single match in four meetings.

Also Read: Wimbledon 2018: Roger Federer begins with a commanding victory over Dusan Lajovic

The 25-year-old has this season featured in all of the three Grand Slams but is yet to win a single match. He qualified for the Australian Open and earned a direct entry into the French Open and Wimbledon, courtesy his top-100 rank.