Tennis star, Serena Williams, is billed return to singles action at the BNP Paribas Open this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

After giving birth to her first child six months ago Serena hasn’t featured in any full tournament since the 2017 Australian Open, which was during the early stages of her pregnancy with her daughter Alexis.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is chasing history as she aims to become the first woman to win three singles titles at Indian Wells.

Serena, who is in the bottom half of the draw along with her sister Venus could both meet in the third round of the tournament.

Before then, the first round of the  WTA Premier Mandatory event will see Serena facing Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.

Twenty-four-year-old Diyas who is ranked number 53 has suffered defeat to William in both their previous head-to-head matches.

After experiencing complications following her baby’s birth which made her scrap her earlier plans to return to the Australia Open, the new mom has played a Fed Cup doubles match and some exhibition singles matches since she returned to the court.

Also chasing a record third title in the desert are two-time Grand Slam champion, Victoria Azarenka (2012, 2016) and Maria Sharapova (2006, 2013).

World No. 2 and Australian Open champion, Caroline Wozniacki, is chasing her first Indian Wells title in seven years while No. 1 seed, Simona Halep has won a title at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in 2015.

Serena Williams had earlier in the day suffered a semifinal defeat to China’s Zhang Shuai at the Tie Break Tens, her first singles competition in 2018.