Serena Williams made a winning return to competitive tennis as she defeated Bernarda Pera at the Top Seed Open in Lexington.
Despite a slow start, Willams scored 4-6 6-4 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes.
"I knew I could play a little bit better if I hung in," she said.
Serena advances to the second round and will face her older sister, Venus, who secured a 6-3 6-2 winner over Victoria Azarenka.
Elsewhere, 16-year-old world number 53 Coco Gauff overcame fellow American Caroline Dolehide 7-5 7-5.
The tournament played out to an empty arena following restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


England survive Nepal scare in T20 World Cup last-ball thriller
Vonn crashes out of women's Olympic Alpine skiing
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed attends Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026
Suryakumar leads from front as India down US in T20 World Cup
Nurmagomedov retains PFL lightweight title in Dubai
