Serena Williams's grass-court comeback hit a snag in Berlin on Monday. Williams teamed up with world No. 10 Karolína Muchová for a doubles run at the WTA 500 event, but the duo fell to doubles specialists Erin Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos in tight straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
How Routliffe and Olmos Tested Williams and Muchová in Berlin
Routliffe and Olmos controlled the 90-minute match with steady serve protection, breaking Williams and Muchová once per set while holding throughout.
Even so, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion showed flashes of her baseline power and net game. Williams, 44, said she felt faster and more stable than during her first week back at Queen's Club.
"I felt more nimble, more sturdy and quicker than the first match," she told reporters. "I felt pretty good just physically."
Serena Williams Eyes Wimbledon Reunion
The loss ends her Berlin run, but the grass-court reps serve a bigger purpose.
On Tuesday, Wimbledon organizers confirmed that Serena and Venus Williams received a wildcard entry for women's doubles. The sisters own 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, and haven't competed as a pair since the 2022 US Open.
The sisters' Wimbledon reunion begins June 29th in London.
