CiCi Bellis makes winning return in Houston from 18-month layoff

CiCi Bellis returned to competitive tennis with a win at the Oracle challenger in Houston, and says she should keep improving with each round.

The 20-year-old had not played since Miami in 2018, undergoing several wrist surgeries since hitting a career-high of No. 35 in the rankings.

Bellis reached the main draw with a qualifying victory against Alexa Glatch, who is on the comeback trail herself.

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"It feels great," she was quoted as saying by the event. "I’m just really happy. I was definitely ready to be back, ready to be traveling again."

She wasn't quite as pleased with her tennis, but says it's a start. "Today was pretty ugly tennis," said Bellis, but also adding, "Everything is going to go up from here."

Bellis reached the third round of the 2016 US Open, and was a former top junior. Having said her repeated injuries had her considering retirement, she resumed hitting around six months ago and had been aiming for a comeback this season.

Bellis received a wildcard into Houston qualifying.