Serena Williams' comeback at Mubadala World Tennis Championship ends in defeat

American, 36, loses to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 in Abu Dhabi

Serena Williams lost her exhibition match against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 at the International Tennis Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Martin Dokoupil / EPA

Serena Williams made her eagerly anticipated return to court at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) on Saturday but her comeback ended in defeat to Jelena Ostapenko.

Williams, a 23-time grand slam champion, has not played competitively since winning the Australian Open in January, taking time out from tennis to give birth to her first child.

Her lengthy absence and lack of match fitness ultimately told against French Open champion Ostapenko, who won their contest 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 at the International Tennis Stadium at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

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Read more:

• Jelena Ostapenko 'honoured' to be Serena Williams' first opponent
• Graham Caygill: Serena Williams competing at Mubadala is perfect timing for player and tournament

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After a first set where she looked understandably off the pace, Williams fought back to level the match in the second.

However, after falling 5-0 behind in the deciding championship tie-break, Williams was left with too much ground to make up as Ostapenko won the first ever women’s match at MWTC.