Williams continues comeback with team win

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ALBANY: Former world number one Serena Williams combined with Rennae Stubbs to win the women's doubles at the World Team Tennis on Tuesday as she continues her comeback from illness.

Williams and Stubbs beat Martina Hingis and Katie O'Brien 5-2 as her team, the Washington Kastles, edged the New York Sportimes 21-20.

"It's good to be back. I love playing. I really enjoyed myself out there," said Williams who also competed in the mixed doubles and singles. "It was a really long day."

Williams is on the comeback trail after sitting out almost a year with a variety of injuries.

Since her fourth Wimbledon singles title last year, she has suffered cuts from glass on both feet, undergone operations on her right foot, had blood clots on her lungs, and another surgery to remove a pool of blood under her skin.

Last month she competed in Wimbledon, losing in the fourth round to France's Marion Bartoli.

"Obviously, (life's) changed a lot," Williams said. "Having a near-death experience is no fun."

The 13-time grand slam champ has seen her ranking plunge to 175th in the world.

Williams, who has 37 career titles, plans to play in tournaments at Stanford, Toronto and Cincinnati as tuneups for her return to the US Open next month at Flushing Meadows. (AFP)