The AEGON International represents Williams' first tournament since the Australian Open, when she retired after one game of her third round match - ironically against Petkovic - with a hip injury.
The 30-year-old double-faulted twice in her opening service game and took a couple of tumbles on the damp lawns, but otherwise enjoyed her return to tennis.
"It was definitely an adventure today...the conditions, falling down on every point," she joked. "I was extremely excited coming back with a win against a player who has been playing so well the last 12 months."
It was never going to be an easy comeback for Williams against the German who has risen to 11th in the world rankings.
She took advantage of Williams' rustiness to lead 4-2 early on but was broken in the eighth game before the American went on to take the set.
The eighth seed levelled the match before Williams saved four break points in the decider, converting on her only break point against her opponent's serve to close out the match.
Third seed Victoria Azarenka also advanced through to the second round after overcoming China's Shuai Peng 6-4 7-6 and Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova beat Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 5-7 6-1 6-3.
Australian Samantha Stosur, who is seeded seventh, easily saw off the challenge of Nadia Petrova of Russia 6-1 6-4, while Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez picked up a 7-5 6-3 victory over Israeli Shahar Peer.
Polish hopeful Agnieszka Radwanska was pushed all the way by Jarmila Gajdosova before recording a 7-6 7-5 win.
9 comments:
I said it before and I'll say it again, Petkovic is highly overrated.
Looks like Petrova is done in singles but not in doubles.
Peer spiraling down, again.
The last few days have been tough for Peng.
I expected a more dominant performance from the Ostrich.
I'm skeptical if Venus can have the stamina to make a run for the Wimbledon crown.
What did I eat today that I'm negative? :P
I am yet to make up my mind about Petko.
I think it will be in Petrova's best intrest to retire but continue playing doubles for a while.
Peer wont go up though after this downward spiral.
Kvitova may have struggle swtiching to grass and Sevastova can be dangerous.
To be completly honest, I think Serena has greater chance of going further...yes I have checked into a mental assylum :P
Clefariy, I agree on your points on Petrova, Peer, and Ostrich. I have to see the draws to predict how far Serena can go. Like Venus, stamina will be an issue. I welcome her to prove me wrong.
Eastern time:
06:30 Goerges - Ivanovic (WTA Eastbourne)
08:00 Dokic - Kudryavtseva (WTA s-Hertogenbosch)
08:00 Pironkova - S. Williams (WTA Eastbourne)
08:30 Clijsters - Oprandi (WTA s-Hertogenbosch)
Julia isn't playing very well at all. She lost a 3-1 lead in the first and loses 6-4.
She fell down once and slipped a couple more times. Might need a fancy footwear upgrade? Plus her serve was bad -- 1 ace/6 double faults.
Also saw more nose blowing action going on. Is she chronically sick?
Julia & Kimmie both lost.
Dokic, Makarova, Jovanovski win.
Thanks for the update Caps321.
BOOOOOOOOOOO to the Fist Pumping Imbecile's victory.
Well, if Petkovic is overrated Goerges certainly did not live up to her recent hype today. Ana was destroying her with her serve.
Marine, I think Goerges was slightly sick, based on what Caps said, I mean, I don't know I didn't see the match. Also Julia is probably better suited to clay courts.
Petko does have potentail and Julia does too and with Sabine on the right comeback track German tennis is looking up again.
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