BERLIN : Serena Williams suffered a first-round doubles defeat at the Berlin Tennis Open on Tuesday as she and partner Karolina Muchova were beaten 6-4 6-4 by Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos.
Williams, competing in only her second tournament since returning to professional tennis, was unable to help the unseeded pairing progress against the experienced doubles team.
Muchova enjoyed better fortunes in singles competition, however, with the seventh-seeded Czech cruising past China’s Zhang Shuai 6-1 6-3 to reach the next round.
Ukraine’s sixth seed Elina Svitolina also advanced after Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya retired while trailing 6-1 4-1. Fellow Czech Linda Noskova, the eighth seed, defeated Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-1 6-4.
Madison Keys, Diane Parry, Paula Badosa, Katerina Siniakova and Germany’s Eva Lys all progressed with straight-set victories.
Sonmez shocks Fernandez in Nottingham
At the Nottingham Open, qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey produced one of the biggest upsets of the opening round by defeating second seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada 6-4 7-6(1).
Sonmez had already come through two qualifying matches to earn a place in the main draw and continued her impressive run by eliminating the former U.S. Open finalist.
American McCartney Kessler, the eighth seed, also exited in the first round after a 6-3 6-3 defeat by compatriot Katie Volynets.
Another seeded player to fall was Czech Sara Bejlek, who lost 2-6 7-6(3) 6-2 to fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova.
Fifth seed Ann Li survived a stern test from Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, recovering to win 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4.
Caty McNally, Britain’s Hannah Klugman and Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska all advanced in straight sets, while Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic required three sets to overcome Sofia Kenin.
