INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Serena Williams was conspicuously absent from the BNP Paribas Open for 13 years, so she could be forgiven for lingering in her return. Making her first appearance at the tournament since the 2001 final, Williams, the world No. 1, defeated Monica Niculescu, 7-5, 7-5, in 2 hours 3 minutes in front of fans so firmly behind her, their cheers were like a wind at her back.
Williams had 13 aces, converted 5 of 10 break opportunities and sealed the victory on her fourth match point. She said afterward that the warm welcome was “overwhelming” and added that she was glad to be back to “create new memories.”
It was the first meeting between Williams, who won her 19th major singles title at this year’s Australian Open, and the 27-year-old Niculescu. Williams, 33, started tentatively, producing a few second serves that registered in the 70s, which is the equivalent of an underhand toss for the owner of one of the fastest serves in the women’s game.
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