Serena Williams has made an early exit from Wimbledon after losing 7-5 1-6 7-6 (10-7) to France’s Harmony Tan. Stepping out to play singles for the first time since leaving Centre Court prematurely 12 months ago with a hamstring injury, Williams looked rusty and error-prone. Cheered on by a supportive crowd, the seven-time champion fought back from a set down and then saved a match point in the 12th game of the decider.
Williams led the decisive first-to-10 tie-breaker 4-0 but Tan fought back to win it 10-7, clinching victory at 10.35pm after an epic battle that lasted three hours and 10 minutes.’Today I gave all I could do,’ Williams said after just her third ever first-round loss at a slam, adding that she ‘can’t answer’ questions over whether this would be her final Wimbledon appearance.