This was it, the opening of a journey. This was step one to finishing off the Serena Slam. Serena Williams began play on Court 1 against qualifier Margarita Gasparyan of Russia. The world number one arrived just a few days ago after battling the flu from after the French Open. Grass is so different compared to all the other surfaces. Just like clay, you need some time to get your footing right but the moisture the grass holds can cause you to slip and the bounce of the ball is different compared to all the other surfaces.
Everything about this match screamed a straightforward victory for Serena, that was everything but to start the opening set. The first game of the opening set, the winner of the last three Grand Slams came out flat as she hit multiple unforced errors to gift a break to the Russian. The Russian saw that as a massive confidence boost as she held for a 2-0 lead. Serena finally held for her first game to get it to 1-2 as she started to scream and try and get herself pumped up, However, Gasparyan would find herself in many of Serena’s service games as she continued to hit winners down the line while the world number one found herself hitting unforced errors that wouldn’t happen if she were in the later rounds.
The sixth game was a crucial one with the qualifier still looking nervy with her serving, but the world number one unable to take advantage of that. Despite that, she broke back for three-all and was looking to impose herself on the Russian and did just that by consolidating the break with a love hold. After a few holds from each woman, the nerves from the 19-year-old Russian finally showed. Her fifth double fault gave Serena a set point and a forehand into the net gave the American the set and the break. Order was restored.
A quick hold and break from Serena to start off the second set, and it was beginning to look bleak for the qualifier. The American held for a fourth consecutive game, third straight in the set, and the match looked all but over for Gasparyan. The Russian got on the board with an ace to get to 1-3 with the crowd backing her as they wanted another exciting set of tennis like the first. All of a sudden, their wish was nearly granted as Gasparyan had three break chances to get the match back on serve. Serena saved all three chances as she was extremely cautious when hitting a second serve as she did not want to double fault to give a break back. As in most cases, the American dug herself out of trouble to get up 4-1. After what was going to be a straightforward hold for the Russian, Serena fired right back to break and the chance to serve for the match. Gasparyan had the chance to force a break back but her backhand down the line was dumped into the net. The Russian continued to fight, but it was signed, sealed, and delivered with an overhead to finish the match 6-4, 6-1.
Despite the victory, Serena has to be disappointed with her footwork and her serving. The footwork will come with more time on grass, but when she's playing much better players, the serve has to be on when she's in trouble. Gasparyan surprised many fans today and has a bright future in front of her as she'll be a regular fixture on the tour for years to come. With the victory, Serena Williams moves to an astounding 59-1 in first round matches in Grand Slams and will face Timea Babos in the next round.