With Kei Nishikori and Andy Murray turning back the clock in the ATP, it was Venus Williams turn on the WTA side as she downed Camila Giorgi in a thrilling three set affair at the Birmingham Classic on Monday afternoon 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6(6).
It was a three hour, 15 minute win for Williams who produced some vintage tennis at the age of 43-years-old while at the same time showing her age at moments.
In particular at the start of the tie where she had to take a medical timeout despite being a break up for a knee problem and at times she was almost playing on one leg but still producing some superb tennis.
She sealed the opening set with a backhand passing shot which had shades of when she won her first Wimbledon and her resilience was on show throughout the tie as she came back to win the final set tie break after losing the second set.
In the final set, she went 3-0 and 5-2 up but it was Giorgi's turn to fire back as she broke serve at 5-4 albeit never leading the set.
It was a back and forth tiebreak with Williams unable to convert a match point opportunity at 6-5 and 7-6 but in the end, she sealed it 8-6.
Next will be the winner of Linda Noskova and Jelena Ostapenko in what will like any Venus Williams game be must watch tennis.
What an impressive display and great moment for Venus Williams! She notches her first win on grass in two years, taking out Camila Giorgi 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(6) in just over three hours. 💪🏼 It's her first Top 50 victory in three and a half years. 👏🏼 Through to R2 🔥 #LetsGo
