Serena Williams and Ons Jabeur beat Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova in doubles at Eastbourne International
Williams and Jabeur win 2-6 6-3 13-11
American 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams was playing her first match in almost a year
RESULT: Jelena Ostapenko (Lat) beats Ajla Tomljanovic (Aus) 6-4, 6-4
RESULT: Katie Boulter (GB) beats Karolina Pliskova (Cze) - 1-6 6-4 6-4
*Williams/Jabeur 2-6 0-0 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Not the dream first set back that Serena Williams may have hoped for on her return to action, but their opponents have been in fine form so far.
The American gets things back under way for set two.
Image source, Getty ImagesWilliams/Jabeur 2-6 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Serena Williams can't respond to the Sorribes Tormo serve, but the Spaniard double-faults on her first set point.
She'll have two more... but it's job done at the second attempt! Sorribes Tormo pops away an angled volley to wrap up the set in half an hour.
Williams/Jabeur 2-5 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
It falls to Sara Sorribes Tormo to try and serve out this opening set at the first opportunity.
That's a good start. A solid second serve catches Jabeur out for 30-0.
Williams/Jabeur 2-5 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Boom! A huge smash at the net from Serena Williams flies away from the court.
The crowd enjoyed that.
Ons Jabeur completes a comfortable hold to reduce the deficit slightly.
Image source, Getty Images*Williams/Jabeur 1-5 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Serena Williams can't readjust quickly enough at the net under intense pressure from Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova, but the American springs into action on the next point to get on the board.
A single point is as good as it gets though and the first set is quickly getting away.
Williams/Jabeur 1-4 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Marie Bouzkova, the 23-year-old world number 65, lines up her serve - and a fine first serve it is too.
Sara Sorribes Tormo backs up her team-mate on the next point with a delicate touch at the net. They're in control again.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Eastbourne
Imagine seeing your idol in your hometown. Then imagine being one of the lucky few to get her signature on your oversized tennis ball!
Eight-year-old Eden John is living the dream.
Eden, who plays tennis every day at her club in Eastbourne and has pictures on her bedroom wall of Williams, is down at Devonshire Park with her dad Andre.
"You should have filmed my face the first time I saw her!" she said before pulling an expression which is difficult to put into words.
Put it this way, the contours of her face were stretched all over the place in a look which screamed of amazement. And she made a noise which added to the effect of being completely shook.
Andre says his daughter was "a bit starstruck" as she watched Williams practise earlier.
"She couldn't take her eyes of her when she was hitting. To see a legend like that in our backyard is incredible."
Image source, BBC SportWilliams/Jabeur 1-4 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Right then, four games down and it's back to Serena Williams. The American closes in, standing strong at the net as she reaches 40-30 on serve.
A miss from Jabeur takes us to deuce, however... and it's Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo who clinch the deciding point! Another break.
*Williams/Jabeur 1-3 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Ah, nope, that'll be a hold. Sorribes Tormo drops a cheeky shot short and Jabeur can't quite lift it back over.
Williams/Jabeur 1-2 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo are a solid unit, but a miss at the net from the Czech brings Williams and Jabeur to 40-30. Can they strike back?
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Eastbourne
It's a family affair as Mary J Blige famously sang.
Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian is here in Eastbourne, sat a few rows in front of the media seats. Alongside him is a Williams sister or two. Not Venus, though.
Let's get it crunk up on, have fun up on, up in this dancery.
Williams/Jabeur 1-2 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
A few rusty-looking shots from Serena Williams in the early stages, but of course that is to be expected.
Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo will look to consolidate that break for her side and take charge of the opening set now.
Williams/Jabeur 1-2 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Marie Bouzkova catches out Ons Jabeur with a drop shot that completely dies on contact with the ground.
It's a smart game from Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo. Three break points... Jabeur's serve is broken!
*Williams/Jabeur 1-1 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Ons Jabeur is on fire at the start of this match. Very little is getting past the world number three at the net, as she sticks another volley away.
They're always chasing in this game though, and Serena Williams hits into the net to bring us level.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Eastbourne
Ons Jabeur says she doesn't know why Serena Williams picked to play with her.
Being the world's third best singles player, who has a fun game to watch, and is a generally all-round good egg, will be the main factors.
Jabeur said yesterday she had not yet seen Williams at Eastbourne and when she arrived onto the practice court this afternoon it seemed like it was the first time they had met up here.
After a warm handshake and plenty of smiles, they limbered up at opposite sides of the net before teaming up on the same side of the court.
The pair - Jabeurena? - played a few points against Williams' coach Eric Hectman and hitting partner Jarmere Jenkins.
The chemistry started to build as the pair bumped fists and knocked in some winners.
Image source, BBC SportWilliams/Jabeur 1-0 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo*
Sara Sorribes Tormo fires at Serena Williams after luring the American forward to level at 30-30, but Ons Jabeur is primed at the net to volley for game point.
It's all about the Tunisian on the next point, the backpedaling Jabeur leaping up to smash home. A solid start.
Image source, Getty Images*Williams/Jabeur 0-0 Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
It's Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic that stand between Serena Williams and a winning return to action.
It's the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion who will get us started!
Image source, Getty ImagesJonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros
"I've never seen a crowd so big for the fifth match doubles," jokes the Eastbourne MC.
At least I think he was joking.
Huge shrieks of excitement when Williams' name is announced - and her long list of notable career achievements.
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Williams/Jabeur v Bouzkova/Sorribes Tormo
Chosen to partner Serena Williams on her return is Tunisian world number three Ons Jabeur, fresh from her title win in Berlin last week.
On being asked to join Williams for the doubles at Eastbourne, Jabeur said the American is an "inspiration".
"It's unbelievable, I honestly never expected her to pick me or even to play doubles after a long time," Jabeur added.
"But I feel like I'm going way back and all the memories of watching her winning a lot of Grand Slams. I hope it's not going to make me too nervous, standing next to her."
Image source, Getty ImagesYes, all being well, Serena Williams will be back at Wimbledon next week for her 21st appearance at the All England Club.
She's currently ranked 1,208 in the world after missing the past year.
It's six years since her last Wimbledon triumph, but she reached the final in 2018 and 2019 after returning from maternity leave.
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