Serena Williams wins first match in over a year at Canadian Open

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(Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Serena Williams won her first match since the 2021 French Open on Monday, taking down Nuria Párrizas Díaz in straight sets at the Canadian Open in Toronto.

In the 6-3, 6-4 win, which took an hour and 57 minutes, Williams’ serve was broken just once. But Párrizas Díaz didn’t go away quietly, fighting back after going down 2-0 in the first set. In the second, she led 4-3 before Williams responded and rallied off three straight wins to take the set and the match.

In total, the 23-time Grand Slam champion finished the match with 32 winners, which included seven aces and 29 unforced errors.

“I love being out here in Toronto, I’ve done well in the past,” Williams said. “I was just out here doing my best today.

“It’s great to be back in Toronto. I didn’t know if I would be able to play here again, this being one of my favorite stops on tour.”

Williams will next face the winner of the first-round match between Belinda Bencic and Tereza Martincová.