Serena Williams loses to Vera Zvonareva in second round at Eastbourne

Serena Williams put up quite a fight but saw her comeback tournament come to an early end with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 loss to top-seeded Vera Zvonareva in Wednesday's second round at Eastbourne, England.

Williams, who won her first match in nearly a year Tuesday, lost to Zvonareva for only the second time in her career in a match that lasted three hours, 12 minutes.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion fought back from 5-2 in the deciding set, saving three match points at 5-4. But Williams didn't have another rally in her after Zvonareva immediately broke again.

Venus Williams, returning from a five-month layoff, extended her own comeback at Eastbourne on Wednesday with a  6-3, 6-2 win over Ana Ivanovic.

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Serena Williams reacts during her loss to Vera Zvonareva on Wednesday. Credit: Toby Melville / Reuters