Routliffe reverses result to beat Serena in Berlin
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New Zealand tennis pro Erin Routliffe has got one back over American great Serena Williams with victory in doubles at the WTA tournament in Berlin.
After defeat to Williams at the Queens event in London last week in her comeback to the top level of the sport. Routliffe and her partner Giuliana Olmos, of Mexico, defeated the American and Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 with one break in each set on the Steffi Graf Stadium.
The unseeded pair will play third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martine, of the USA, and Sara Errani, of Italy, in the next round in Berlin.
Routliffe was please to compete against a true tennis great.
"We love that Serena is playing doubles," Routliffe said. "We play doubles all the time, and it makes people watch more doubles, so we love it."
Routliffe and Melichar-Martine teamed up in London last week when they were beaten by Williams and Victoria Mboko, of Canada.
"The first time, excited. The second time, I was like, 'Oh my God,'" Routliffe said. "Obviously, the draw happens every week, and you never know, and everyone is going to be watching her match, so to be able to be on the other side of the net is such an honor."
The 31-year-old New Zealander is currently ranked 11 in the world doubles rankings.
Serena, 44, and 45-year-old Venus Williams have been given a wildcard into the Wimbledon doubles which starts at the end of the month.