Williams was five points away from a shock defeat to Pera in the second set but produced when she needed to in order to win through in her first tournament since the Australian Open in January.

Pera as a result looked the brightest to begin the tie claiming a break in the fifth game and saving two break points on her own serve to maintain her lead.

She put away her first set point with a forehand winner and like alluded to looked likely to win the match. Williams looked good in the final set taking another 3-1 lead before surging to the last nine points for victory. Her sister Venus could await next.

https://twitter.com/wta/status/1293239754129960961?s=21