Serena Williams earned her first singles win in 14 months as she defeated Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-3, 6-4 at the Canadian Open in Toronto on Monday.
The 40-year-old American was competing in only her second match this season in defeating the 57th-ranked lucky loser to reach the second round.
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Her last singles win came at the 2021 French Open.
“I guess there’s just a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m getting closer to the light,” said the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion.
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“I can’t wait to get to that light. I love playing though, it’s amazing but I can’t do this forever.
“Sometimes you just want to try your best to enjoy the moments and do the best that you can.”
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The match took two hours, with the veteran winning a 25-minute game to level 4-4 in the second set.
Williams earned her first title in Canada in 2001 and her third and most recent nine years ago.
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Another multiple Grand Slam champion also advanced on opening day, with Simona Halep sweeping the opening seven games on her way to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic to also reach the second round.
