Serena Williams vs. Harmony Tan results: Williams' Wimbledon return from injury ends in first-round tiebreaker loss

As Serena Williams' shot hit the Wimbledon net, Harmony Tan raised her hand. She had just notched her third major victory of her career. None could quite compare to this one, though.

Williams emptied the tank, using every bit of energy she had accrued since last taking part in a singles match almost a year ago.

But it just wasn't enough. And the rust was clear as Williams lost in three sets to Tan 7-5, 1-6, 7-6(7) in the first round of the 2022 Wimbledon championships.

Williams pulled ahead 3-1 in the third set and seemed poised to secure the victory, one that would have been all the more impressive given her time away from the court. But Tan found another level of stamina, winning five of the next eight games to send Tuesday's match to a tiebreaker.

Williams pulled ahead once more in the tiebreaker, even building a 4-0 lead.

But unforced errors, an aspect of play that has affected Williams in the past, reared its ugly head. The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion couldn't quite rein in her shots when she needed to the most.

"She's beaten a legend."

After three hours, 10 minutes, Harmony Tan beats Serena Williams in a first round epic#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/IQst8AzXxv

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

At 3 hours, 11 minutes, the match was Williams' longest in over a decade. She looked good for large portions of it, moving fluidly and reacting well to Tan's mix of drop shots. But she lost focus at times, particularly when she had the chance to secure vital points, either to give herself comfortable leads or secure sets.

There were a number of highlights for both players, including a 20-minute point during the second set. But Tan, who entered Tuesday's match ranked just outside the the top 100, showed off a funky style of play — one that proved incredibly effective.

MORE: Why is Serena Williams wearing black tape on her face?

What is next for Williams? It's hard to imagine her, at age 40, having a lot more to give to tennis. But she still has the skills, highlighted by that fiery serve. And her net approaches were strong, indicating that she has recovered well from her hamstring injury.

The Sporting News tracked live updates from the Williams vs. Tan first-round match. Below are the results of Tuesday's action.

MORE: Watch Wimbledon live with Sling

Serena Williams vs. Harmony Tan score

Serena Williams vs. Harmony Tan live updates, highlights from Wimbledon 2022

(All times Eastern.)

5:37 p.m. - Williams hits the net. Tan wins the tiebreak and the match. Wonderful display by the 24-year old.

5:36 p.m. - Match point for Tan here.

5:35 p.m. - Serena pulls one back. 8-7 in Tan's favor.

5:34 p.m. - Tan secures back-to-back points and is just two points away from notching a momentous victory.

5:32 p.m. - Serena ties it up! Great play by Williams, who employs the drop shot to deadlock things.

5:30 p.m. - Tan takes the lead! Another error by Williams and Tan has won five unanswered points. 

5:28 p.m. - And it's all square! Serena puts one just wide of the mark and that's Tan's fourth straight point. These unforced errors are really coming back to cost Williams.

5:27 p.m. - That's another point for Tan! Impressive poise by the 24-year old.

5:25 p.m. - Tan gets her first point of the tiebreak. Serena still holds a lead, but Tan has proved herself capable of getting out of holes during this match.

5:23 p.m. - Williams holds the 3-0 lead in the tiebreak. Remember, first to 10 wins the match.

5:21 p.m. - Match point saved for Serena! Tan puts her drop shot too far and we're headed to a tie break.

5:19 p.m. - Serena spoons her chance to take a 40-30 lead in the game. Had the whole left side of the net wide open but put too much power on the shot.

Match point for Tan.

5:16 p.m. - Serena emptying the tank. She hasn't played a match this long since the 2012 French Open. What a way to make your return.

At 2 hours, 49 minutes (and counting), this is Serena Williams' longest match since her 2012 French Open first round loss to Virginie Razzano (which was 3 hours, 3 minutes). Probably not what she had in mind for her first singles match in 364 days! (via @WTA_insider)

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) June 28, 2022

5:14 p.m. - Tan wins the point! If she wins this game, she wins the match.

5:13 p.m. - Tan holds the advantage. Impressive showing by the 24-year old, regardless of the result.

5:08 p.m. - Tan ties it up! Williams hits the net a couple times. Seems like fatigue is setting in. She'll have to really step it up to get beyond the French player.

5:04 p.m. - Williams raises her arms after winning her fifth game of the set. Unreal show of strength by these two players so far.

5:00 p.m. - Williams falls to her knees in delight after securing a pivotal point. Really digging into the tank right now. This is Wimbledon at its essence.

4:58 p.m. - Williams knots it up at 4! Tan with a few unforced errors but Williams is stepping it up when it matters the most. Headed for a frantic finish at Wimbledon tonight it seems.

4:55 p.m. - Williams lets out a roar after Tan's unforced error. Tan is on the brink of securing a fifth game in the set, but Serena is keeping the pressure up. Massive tension here.

4:52 p.m. - And that is wonderful play from Tan. Keeps Serena moving with a mix of speeds before floating a drop shot past Williams' outstretched grasp. Tan has the lead in this match and she may be in position to shock the world and defeat the seven-time champion.

4:49 p.m. - Tan pulls the set even. Williams struggling to match Tan's energy late. On the verge of securing her fourth game of the set.

4:45 p.m. - Gotta give credit to Tan. Her funky style of tennis has kept Serena off balance for much of the day. Secured another game and currently lead Game No. 6 of the set, 30-0.

4:40 p.m. - Serena really putting it all together in the third set. She's dominated the net throughout the day but has found it increasingly easier to pump shots past Tan in the third.

4:34 p.m. - Williams notches the first break of the final set. Overcame a few wobbles to get her second game of the set.

4:28 p.m. - Tan secures the first game of the third set. Took a lengthy break prior to her final set, so it's clear she's feeling a little refreshed.

4:18 p.m. - Serena Williams takes Set 2! Dominant showing in the second, which was highlighted by a 20-minute second game. Third set, here we come!

4:13 p.m. - Regardless of what happens in this match, it feels like that second game of Set 2 will be a real inflection point. Williams has largely dominated since then, although Tan did secure her first game of Set 2.

Williams serving now with a chance to send the match to a decisive third set.

4:07 p.m. - Serena really is locked in right now. Continues to zero in on her return and Tan has no answers at the moment. 4-0 lead in Set 2.

4:01 p.m. - Wonderful exchange by Tan and Williams, who both sprawl across the turf. Serena just misses her effort, giving Tan the advantage.

3:54 p.m. - Williams gets the game! Incredible rally by the two players ends when Tan shanks her shot, hitting the official's chair.

2-0 lead in Set 2 for Serena.

3:52 p.m. - Tan with a wonderful backhand to pull the game even. We're talking about a 20 minute game here, unbelievable stamina from both players.

3:48 p.m. - This game is approaching 15 minutes of run time. Enthralling stuff here but it feels whoever notches this game will be feeling really confident heading into the rest of the set.

3:39 p.m. - Tan's strategy has been frustrating for Serena if nothing else. Her mix of drop shots, chips and shots of real varying velocity has kept the seven-time Wimbledon winner on her toes. 40-40 in Game No. 2 of the second set.

3:30 p.m. - Serena has been in this position before. And she has tended to come back stronger.

6 - Serena #Williams has always won the 6 opening matches in a Grand Slam tournament when she lost the 1st set

Spirlea @ AO 1998✅
Barna @ US 2001✅
Loit @ AO 2003✅
Haynes @ Wimbledon 2005✅
Pironkova @ RG 2007✅
Diatchenko @ RG 2019✅

Unworried.@WTA @WTA_insider @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/4LbugCPcwh

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 28, 2022

3:24 p.m. - Looks like they're taking an eight-minute delay before Set 2. Conversations going on at the court as to whether they should close the roof down. It is quite late out there.

3:22 p.m. - And Tan takes the set! Notches 5 of the last 6 games to take Set 1. Serena has to settle the nerves a bit, making a few uncharacteristic errors.

3:15 p.m. - Tan with a gnarly set of chipped forehands to keep Serena at bay and keep her moving. She holds the edge and has a chance to secure an impressive Set 1 victory after being down 4-2 earlier.

3:12 p.m. - Tan draws Set 1 back level after employing an impressive mix of drop shots and chipped efforts. Serena making a few uncharacteristic errors but that may be down to rust.

3:05 p.m. - Real show of emotion from both players. Tan with a lovely backhand into the corner which draws a yell from Tan and a clap from Williams.

Williams fires back with a fiery forehand of her own before turning to the crowd and letting out a scream.

Serena leads 5-4 in Set 1.

2:57 p.m. - Williams looking solid in her return to the court. Tan resorting to using delicate lob shots, which have proven effective but indicate Williams' all-around game is superior.

Nonetheless, Tan notches the seventh game after a pair of Williams' errors late. Heading to Game No. 8.

2:50 p.m. - Four straight wins game points for Williams. Tan having some trouble reading Serena's serve.

2:46 p.m. - Williams is really coming into her own. Moving around the court well and showing good strength on her forehand and backhand.

2:43 p.m. - Serena takes control of Game No. 5, shutting Tan out. She now holds an edge over the French player, 3-2, in Set 1.

2:40 p.m. - And Serena notches the game. Impressive defensive play to draw the set back even. Williams is building steam.

2:38 p.m. - Serena still has plenty left in the tank, it seems. She charges back and forth to track a pair of Tan drop shots, then fires back to secure the point. She looks to be building confidence quickly now.

2:35 p.m. - Wimbledon's official Twitter account welcoming Williams back to competition.

Welcome back, @serenawilliams #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/xUDZRyDf2w

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

2:33 p.m. - Serena with a sensational play, tracking across the lawn before stretching out to put the ball past Tan.

Followed it up with a strong forehand followed by a vociferous yell. She holds the advantage in Game No. 4.

SERENA WILLIAMS IS BACK pic.twitter.com/uP7bJBL1K7

— mar🎱 (@formulatenn1s) June 28, 2022

2:25 p.m. - Williams still working her way back, getting used to the rhythm again. Tan notched the first two games but Williams began to look back to her best in the third game.

She's on the board now, but Tan leads 2-1 in set 1.

2:20 p.m. - Williams skews a shot wide of Tan and the French player takes the first game of the set.

2:17 p.m. - Williams hits the net after a short exchange with Tan, who gets the first point of the match.

2:11 p.m. - Serena Williams takes Centre Court! She arrives to a warm reception from the crowd.

On Centre Court for Serena Williams’ big return to singles tennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Q5ZNojIhjd

— Yasmin Syed (@yasminstefsyed) June 28, 2022

2:03 p.m. - Nadal and Cerundolo just wrapped, with Nadal claiming the match in the fourth set. Williams and Tan set to take the court any minute now,

1:11 p.m. - Francisco Cerundolo and Rafael Nadal currently locked in an enthralling battle. Cerundolo just captured the third set, further delaying Williams' return. Williams may have to restart her warmup given how long this match is taking.

12:09 p.m. - Just a few moments away now from Williams return to Centre Court. Rafael Nadal captured his second set against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.

The stage awaits for a Wimbledon icon 👑#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 | @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/EGzUjFe7yt

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022

Check here for updates and highlights from the match as it gets underway. 

How to watch Serena Williams vs Harmony Tan at Wimbledon

• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN+, Sling

For U.S. viewers, ESPN will be handling broadcasting duties for Serena Williams' Round 1 matchup with Harmony Tan. The match will also be live streamed on ESPN+ and Sling.

In Canada, TSN2 will carry the match, as well as TSN.ca and the TSN App.

What time does Serena Williams vs. Harmony Tan start?

• US/Canada start time: Approx. 2:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time in London)

Williams and Tan will likely take the court sometimes around 2:00 p.m. ET (4.00 a.m. AEST), although their actual start time depends on when the two earlier matches that take place at Centre Court finish.

Serena Williams' history at Wimbledon

Williams is one of the greatest players to ever pick up a racket and she has tended to prove as much at Wimbledon. Williams has hoisted the Venus Rosewater Dish seven times in her career, tied with Steffi Graf for the second-most all time among women's players. Only Martina Navratilova has won the tournament more than Williams and Graf, capturing the trophy nine times.

Williams last won the tournament in 2016, defeating German Angelique Kerber in straight sets. It was her second straight Wimbledon title.

MORE: Who is the GOAT women's tennis player?

Wimbledon schedule 2022

The first round of Wimbledon wraps up on Tuesday, June 28. The tournament runs all the way until Sunday, July 10, when the men's singles championship and women's doubles final take place.

Here is the TV schedule for the remainder of the tournament.