Serena Williams vs. Margarita Gasparyan: Score and Reaction from 2015 Wimbledon

Serena Williams survived a surprisingly tough match against Wimbledon debutant Margarita Gasparyan in the first round at the All England Tennis Club on Monday, winning a competitive battle 6-4, 6-1.

The 6'0" 20-year-old played with inspiration, winning a host of points against the five-time Wimbledon champion, but Williams' experience prevailed despite an indifferent start. 

The Russian shocked Williams in the opening game, with the American looking sluggish and slow. Gasparyan broke the her opponent's serve, to the gasps of the watching crowd, and she continued to match Williams throughout the first set. 

Gasparyan raced to a 3-1 lead, playing well above her expected level, with Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times commenting on Williams' previous endeavours:

The youngster held advantage to go 4-2 up, with Williams taking a heavy fall after being wrong footed and slipping. But Gasparyan could not capitalise, and the American powered her way to break serve to tie 3-3. 

Professional tennis coach Martyn Etheridge commented on the Russian's amazing opening efforts and Williams' subsequent comeback:

"

#Gasparyan fighting hard to level at 4/4; not intimidated by #Serena which is a great sign at the start of a career..esp. show court #Wimby

— Martyn Etheridge (@MartynEtheridge) June 29, 2015"

"

#Serena picking her feet up better in the rally now.. #gasparyan forcing #Williams to hit low which is tough to do on sliding grass! #Wimby

— Martyn Etheridge (@MartynEtheridge) June 29, 2015"

Williams powered forward to take a 5-4 lead in the first, forcing Gasparyan to hold her serve to stay in the set.

The legend made no compromise when her chance came—taking the set 6-4 and screaming with huge emotion as the youngster's shot hit the net. 

Rothwell summarised the first set, highlighting the Russian's performance:

Following the match, Williams spoke on Gasparyan's impressive start, courtesy of the Guardian's Simon Chambers:

"

I knew she would be a good player – I can’t say I thought she’d be that good, to be honest. Obviously when you’re winning three matches in qualifying you’re ready to go the distance, and playing me she had nothing to lose. She played really good.

She came out so fast I thought: ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be down a set’ and I thought: ‘I’m tired of being down a set.’

"

It was a different Williams who got off her seat in the second set, and she started in dominant fashion, winning her first service game without dropping a point—despite the Moscovian's continued efforts.

Tennis writer Courtney Nguyen heaped praise on Gasparyan, despite the American's shifting the balance of power in the match:

But Williams' eye was now focused, and she began to hit a series of extraordinary winners. The Russian's defence held firm, but Williams fired her shots with power and ferocity.

The score was soon 3-0 to the 2012 Wimbledon champion, with the nerves beginning to show in some of Gasparyan's play. Her toss on the serve became ragged, giving Williams too many opportunities on the second serve.

Pavel Golovkin/Associated Press

The Russian managed to record a small victory in the fourth game to make it 3-1, but Williams looked like she would run away with the match. 

However, Gasparyan once again rallied, hitting a series of impressive winners. But Williams stayed with the Russian and didn't allow her opponent to prevail. 

In the seventh game, Williams had the service to win the match—and the 20-time Grand Slam winner made sure she finished the job—grabbing the set 6-1.

It was a fantastic display from Gasparyan, and a performance that not only shocked her opponent but won her an army of new tennis fans. Williams warmly congratulated the Russian to mark her display, as the crowds on Court 1 cheered both combatants.

This was a great warm-up for Williams in her quest for a sweep of tennis' big competitions. The courts appear hard and bouncy—much more than in previous years—and that will play into the hands of Williams' power game over the next two weeks. 

More importantly, the 2015 Australian and French Open champion appears to be very much on the road to another Grand Slam championship.