LONDON – Spain's Garbine Muguruza opened her Wimbledon title defence with a 6-2, 7-5 win over British wild card Naomi Broady on Tuesday.
Muguruza is bidding to reach her third Wimbledon final after winning last year's title match against Venus Williams and losing the 2015 showpiece against Serena Williams.
The two-time Grand Slam champion needed 88 minutes to see off world number 138 Broady on Centre Court.
“I'm back, it's always good, I'm thinking to win and actually enjoy this time more,” Muguruza said.
Bidding to become just the sixth woman in the Open Era to successfully defend the #Wimbledon title... @GarbiMuguruza is through to the second round with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Naomi Broady pic.twitter.com/nofth88pa9
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
“I'm pretty happy with my serve and controlling the emotions. To be back in a Grand Slam is always difficult, so I'm excited with the way I'm playing.”
Third seed Muguruza, 24, faces Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck or Slovenia's Polona Herzog in the second round.