Serena Williams, 44, Wins Doubles Opener With 19-Year-Old Partner at HSBC Championships After Four-Year Absence

Serena Williams won her first professional match in four years on Tuesday, teaming with her partner to defeat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6, 6-2 in the opening round of the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London. Williams, 44, and her partner advanced to the quarterfinals.

The pair took a 3-0 lead in the first set and held on to win the tiebreak before closing out the second set 6-2.

Williams hit service winners up to 120 mph and finished with two aces, including the match winner. Husband Alexis Ohanian and children Olympia and Adira watched from the stands in front of a sellout crowd. " She added that she had never played at the venue before.

"I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic," Williams said. Williams acknowledged feeling nervous before the match. "I was nervous, but I didn't really think about it ...

I just thought about having fun, which I did today," she said. " Her partner said Williams moved well throughout the match. "I mean, I thought she was moving great," the partner said. " Williams has also confirmed she will compete at the Berlin Tennis Open next week.

Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion who won seven singles titles at Wimbledon.