Bulgaria's Pironkova Fails to Upset Serena Williams at Eastbourne

Tsvetana Pironkova started well against Serena Williams but failed to beat her. Photo by EPA/BGNES

US tennis legend Serena Williams defeated top Bulgarian player Tsvetana Pironkova in her first match after being sidelined for nearly a year due to an injury.

Williams recovered after a tough first set to record a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 win against Pironkova Tuesday in the first round at the UK Eastbourne tournament.

The US star, however, praised her Bulgarian opponent, who defeated her sister Venus on her way to her first Grand Slam semifinal in 2010. "She is an unbelievable player, she beat Venus at Wimbledon last year and when I saw the draw I thought Oh my God," Serena Williams said after the historic game, as cited by Sky Sports.

"I'm a little rusty but I enjoy being back on the grass. I will go inside now and see how I feel," she said.

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