Serena Williams made a winning return to tennis after almost a year out of action as she reached the second round of the AEGON Championships at Eastbourne yesterday. The former World No 1 has been sidelined since winning Wimbledon last year, first by a severe cut to her foot and then by multiple blood clots which she said left her "literally on (her) deathbed". <img alt="" src="/imagedata/2011/jun/ser.jpg" border="5" /> USA's Serena Williams returns to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova during yesterday's AEGON International first round match in Eastbourne. Serena won 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. PIC/AFP She made a dreadful start, losing the first set 6-1 to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, but battled back to complete a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in two hours and four minutes on centre court. "I'm a little rusty, but I really enjoy playing here and being back on grass," the American said. "I'm just taking it one day at time, I hope you guys enjoyed the match and come back out and give me a little cheer, because I really need it and I'm so happy to be back." Another former World No 1, Ana Ivanovic, saw off Germany's Julia Goerges 6-4 6-3 despite a first serve percentage of just 46%. Fourth seed Francesca Schiavone had to battle through a long first set tie-break but then accelerated past Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-6 (9/7) 6-1. France's Marion Bartoli came through a final set tie-break to beat Czech Lucie Safarovau00a0 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) .

Serena Williams made a winning return to tennis after almost a year out of action as she reached the second round of the AEGON Championships at Eastbourne yesterday.

Serena Williams happy to win after returning from life-threatening ailment

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Serena Williams happy to win after returning from life-threatening ailment

Serena Williams happy to win after returning from life-threatening ailment

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