Twice former champion Serena Williams made a stuttering start at Wimbledon on Monday before overcoming big-hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi 7-5 6-3. The 26-year-old sixth seed looked flat-footed and struggled to keep her shots in play during the first set against an opponent who reached the quarter-finals at the French Open earlier this month.
Williams, looking for her first singles title here since 2003, survived an anxious moment at 5-5 when she saved a break point and took control after a Kanepi double-fault gifted her the opening set in 49 minutes.