Black Tennis Pros

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Eastbourne, Great Britain - Tuesday was another demonstration of just how far Heather Watson has come in 18 months. The British No. 2 was barely expected to pick up a game against last year’s Wimbledon runner-up and world No. 3 Vera Zvonareva in their match at Eastbourne at the AEGON International. But Watson impressed, taking three games in each set. Now she needs the right draw.

Zvonareva defeated the Brit 6-3, 6-3.

Has Loving Support Of Family

We are a very close family so it’s not always easy but I speak to Dad every day on the phone or by Skype,’ said Heather, who has three grown-up siblings.

‘I’m very lucky to have parents who have sacrificed a lot for my tennis. They are the perfect parents, great support but not too pushy.’

Indeed, the delightful Mrs Watson gives this sometimes peculiar breed of parent a good name, cheerfully admitting to being more of a support system for her well-adjusted daughter than any tennis genius.

‘We always wanted to give the children the best opportunities, whatever they chose to do, and for Heather it was tennis,’ she said.

‘We decided as a family that I would be with her from 16 to 18 so we are apart sometimes as a family, but it is not a long-term thing.

‘At first it cost us easily more than $50,000 per year but now we are getting help from the LTA.’

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EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom — Playing for the first time in nearly a year, Serena Williams overcame a slow start to reach the Eastbourne second round on Tuesday by beating Tsvetana Pironkova 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, whose last match was her victory in the Wimbledon final last July, returned to the court at the grass warm-up tournament after battling a foot injury and blood clots in her lungs.

"It wasn't an easy match but more than anything, I wanted to win," said Williams.

"She's an unbelievable player and beat (Serena's sister) Venus (Williams) at Wimbledon last year. When I saw the draw I thought 'Oh my god.'

"I'm a little rusty but I enjoy being back on the grass."

Top seed Vera Zvonareva defeated British wild card Heather Watson 6-3, 6-3 and will next play Williams in a repeat of last summer's Wimbledon final.

The Williams win was the second success for the family this week, after sister Venus advanced here on Monday after not playing for almost five months due to an abdominal injury.

"I could have done a lot of things better, but that's expected. I'll continue to try to do the things that I need to do," said Serena.

Williams said that her mental approach to the game still needs some work after her long absence.

"It's not as strong as it was when I left, but I'm hoping it will get better with every day and every match," she said.

"I definitely think I was nervous. I think I was even more anxious, more than anything, but there was no need for me to be anxious."

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Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his first match at the AEGON International Tuesday just over 24 hours after he finished runner-up to at The Queen's Club.

The World No. 19, who arrived in Eastbourne at 7 p.m. on Monday, said: "I feel good. I played well today, so it's good."

Tsonga dropped nine points on serve in a 40-minute first set against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, a semi-finalist last year in Eastbourne, before completing a 6-2, 7-5 win in just over 90 minutes.

Tsonga, who hit eight aces and won 67 per cent of service points, is making his tournament debut. He improved to a 22-12 match record on the season.

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EASTBOURNE, England — Venus Williams took delayed revenge for a match she had to abandon nearly five months ago by beating eighth seed Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 at Eastbourne on Monday.

The unseeded Williams carries a number 32 world ranking after last competing on January 21 in the Australian Open third round, when she had to quit after one game against the German due to an abdominal injury.

Along with her sister Serena -- out for the past year following her 2010 Wimbledon title due to a cut foot and blood clot issues in her lungs -- Venus is making a low-key warm-up for Wimbledon, which starts in a week.

"It was definitely an adventure today: the conditions, falling down every other point," said Williams.

"(It was great) just coming back from such a long layoff, competing against someone who has been playing so well in the last 12 months.

"There was definitely a lot going on out there, but I was extremely excited to come back with a win."

Petkovic went a break up in the first set but could not hold it as the experience of Williams, who turns 31 on Friday, paid dividends.

The world number 11 German salvaged the second set to level the match after clawing back a break from Williams, only for the American to raise her game in the third set to secure a comeback victory in two hours and 35 minutes.

"It was very interesting when I drew her," said Williams, who last played Eastborne 13 years ago. "It was a tough match for her, because I'm kind of a floater right now.

"Normally she would probably get through the first round. That was a little bit of bad luck for her, but for me it was a great opportunity.

"It felt fitting in a way, very ironic - but a great way to start it all off."

Williams next plays the winner of the match between German Julia Goerges and former world number one Ana Ivanovic of Serbia at an event featuring seven of the WTA top 10.

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