Canadian Open 2022: Serena Williams secures first win of year against battling Nuria Parrizas Diaz

Serena Williams took her first singles victory since last year’s French Open. After a difficult encounter with Nuria Perrizas, Diaz, Serena won 6-3, 6-4.

Williams had to fight hard against the Spaniard on a humid, overcast Toronto day. Despite glimpses of her power serve, forehand, Williams never found her true potential.

Parrizas Diaz appeared to be in control of the second set at times, but Williams won the penultimate match with a crucial hold.

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Williams described the day of uncertain weather as “not cold, it wasn’t cloudy, sunny, windy, and it wasn’t freezing.”

It’s great to be back at Toronto. This was one of my favourite stops along the tour, and I didn’t know if it would be possible to play there again.

“I was so happy to be able come back here. It was really exciting and really cool.

Williams, who was competing on a hard court for the first time since 2021 Australian Open, started strongly with a confident take and broke her Spanish opponent at her first opportunity. However, Parrizas Diaz struck back by working the angles well as drawing back on level terms.

They shared a series extended rallies, unable force winners, before Williams broke again. Williams used the court’s depth well to force Parrizas Diaz away and gave Williams a chance to serve for set with a crisp backhandvolley.

Williams was surrounded by a partisan North American crown and eventually took advantage of the opportunity. She survived a break point to win the fourth set point with an emphatic overhead.

Williams’ game was not as strong as it could have been on a warm summer’s afternoon. Williams was forced to play long points by the mobile ParrizasDiaz, who made it difficult for Williams to keep her opponent from building on her first serve.

The Spaniard is known for being a fighter, overcoming a shoulder injury that nearly forced him into premature retirement to reach the main singles draw at majors at the US Open last season.

She appeared to be on the brink of a decisive break at times, and she let four chances slip in a marathon eight game of the second set that Williams won after the ninth deuce.

It was a costly mistake. Williams was within a game of winning as she once again cracked the Spaniard’s serve.

The crowd was delighted when Williams won in straight sets. The second set was decided after more than 70 minutes hard-hitting back and forth tennis.

As she settled into her flow, there were moments of unsettling ball-striking by the 40-year old. But Belinda Bencic lurks in round two and the American will need to improve.

For a place in 32nd, Bencic will face Terez Martincova, a Czech qualifier.