Williams, 35, will take on lucky loser Yuliya Beygelzimer of Ukraine on center court as she looks to sneak into the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore with a strong showing here.
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The 35-year-old American dropped the first set 6-2 before taking the second and the decider 6-4 6-4 to defeat her Ukrainian opponent in two hours and 13 minutes on Centre Court.
Williams, who had yet to hit an ace for the day, then raised her level of play to break serve tolevel the set at four games all. She came out and played the match of her life – that’s really what I have to be ready for every time.
Williams said she picked up the leg injury en route to winning the Wuhan Open title last month, but that it’s something she can cope with. “But like I’ve said before, there are no givens out here”.
“I’m just trying to make sure that I stay out on the court and not do anything to make it unplayable”.
The five-time Wimbledon champion faces China’s Yafan Wang in round two after American Christina McHale retired hurt from their clash during the second set when 6-3 4-1 down.
“I need to really work hard”, said Zhang.
Second seed Angelique Kerber also had to come from a set down to beat Francesca Schiavone, but the other seeds in action had no such problems as Caroline Garcia, Alize Cornet, Jelena Jankovic and Sam Stosur all recorded straight-set successes.
“It took me a few time to figure out the way she plays and see what she likes, what she doesn’t”, said a relaxed Jankovic after the match.
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“It was not an easy match. I felt like a hometown girl”.
