Serena Williams shrugged off the absence of fans to make a winning return from her six-month COVID-19 layoff on Tuesday, defeating lowly ranked Bernarda Pera in three sets at the WTA Top Seed Open tournament in Kentucky. Serena, who before Tuesday had not played a competitive game since a Fed Cup appearance in February, came from behind to defeat American World No. 60 Pera 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes in Lexington. The former World No. 1's first round victory played out to an empty arena. This week's tournament—the first WTA event in the US since the COVID-19 pandemic—is taking place without spectators.

Serena, 38, later revealed that the sedate surroundings had suited her game. "It was a really calm atmosphere, it was really chill," Serena said. "I can't say I disliked it. I didn't mind it at all. I've been through so many things in my career and this was totally different. I think I won today because I was calm for once in my career. Kind of reminds me of junior days. Something nostalgic about that. I kind of enjoyed it."