Home favourite Lys reaches last 16 in Berlin ahead of Williams return

Home favourite Eva Lys reached the last 16 at the grass-court Berlin Tennis Open on Tuesday, hours before returning legend Serena Williams was set to take the court.

>At the Steffi Graf Stadium, the Hamburg-based player defeated Polish qualifier Magdalena Frech in straight sets, 7-6 (9-7) 6-3.

>Lys is the only German in the main draw of the WTA singles tournament, which has a prize fund of €1.2 million ($1.4 million).

>The world number 80, who was given a wildcard, lost her first service game but immediately broke back before squandering several set points at 6-5, forcing a tie-break.

>Lys initially let a 5-2 lead slip, but then secured the first set with a bit of luck thanks to a fortunate shot off the net cord.

>In the second set, Lys was clearly the better player and won comfortably.

>Later on Tuesday, the 44-year-old Williams plays the second match of her stunning comeback to tennis alongside Karolína Muchová. The pair will face Guiliana Olmos from Mexico and the New Zealander Erin Routliffe.

>Also in action on Tuesday were a trio of other US stars: Madison Keys, who beat China's Wang Xiyu 7-6 (6-3) 6-1, and US duo Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the doubles.