Serena Williams is unparalleled on the tennis court, and her performance Monday at Wimbledon — particularly her match point against Italy’s Giulia Gatto-Monticone — was just the latest example of her her strength and resilience.
She ended up winning in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, to advance out of the tournament’s first round and will play Thursday in the second round, as she looks to win her eighth Wimbledon title — which would also be her first Grand Slam victory since giving birth in September 2017.
Serena often has moments of brilliance, and this incredible match-point rally against Gatto-Monticone is absolutely among them. So intense.
Afterward, she addressed her health related to a knee injury earlier this season. Via The Guardian:
“This is the best I’ve felt since February. I had to skip most of the hard court season and only played a couple of matches on clay. I’m so happy I can walk. I’m better now. I feel so thankful. Now I get to play with my baby.”
After Williams won the first set, 6-2, Gatto-Monticone stepped up for a much more competitive second one. Up 5-3 and serving for the match, Serena had the chance to put Gatto-Monticone, a first-time qualifier, away, but the 31-year-old Italian fought back.
The tension of the match kept rising as neither player was able to pull away and win the second set.
When Serena found herself at the net during the match point, it seemed so impossible that she’d still win that hard-fought point as they rallied. But her final shot was awesome and a great way to finish off a thrilling match.
Williams will play the winner of the Kaja Juvan-Kristyna Pliskova match Thursday.
