Serena wins on return

Serena Williams shook off the rust from a 15-month cutback because of pregnancy to win her opening match at the WTA Indian Wells occasion with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Zarina Diyas. 

The unseeded Williams was the best positioned player on the planet when she started her long cutback following her triumph at the 2017 Australian Open, where she was at that point expecting little girl Alexis Olympia who was conceived in September. 

After several presentations and a Fed Cup pairs coordinate, Williams said Thursday she is prepared to hit with the serious canons on the Tour once more. 

"I am not going to be there today or one week from now yet I will arrive and I do have my objectives," Williams said. 

"Sooner or later I have to bounce and fly. It requires investment to get back." 

Williams entered the court Thursday night to a noisy applause, with numerous in the half full stadium standing and praising as she left the passage for simply her third appearance in Indian Wells over the most recent 17 years.