Serena Williams beats Monica Niculescu on return to Indian Wells after ending boycott

Serena Williams emerged triumphant on an emotional return to Indian Wells on Friday, beating Monica Niculescu in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open.

The world No 1 has not played at the tournament in the Californian desert, one of the biggest on the WTA Tour, since winning the title as a 19-year-old in 2001.

She was afforded a standing ovation as she walked out onto centre court, and the occasion seemed to affect her in the early stages as she found herself trailing 2-0.

Serena Williams celebrates after beating Monica Niculescu at the ATP & WTA BNP Paribas Open

Williams went through a range of emotions on her return to Indian Wells following a 14-year boycott 

Tennis fans gave Williams a standing ovation as she made her entrance to the court 

The 33-year-old American waves to the crowd as she is given a standing ovation 

But the 33-year-old American soon got into her rhythm and ground out a gutsy 7-5, 7-5 triumph in two hours four minutes.

Williams had thought about returning last year only to change her mind. She was jeered during her final victory over Kim Clijsters 14 years ago by a crowd unhappy that Venus Williams had pulled out of a scheduled semi-final against her sister the previous day at the last minute.

Critics believed matches between the siblings were fixed and Venus and the women's father and coach Richard claimed they were subjected to racist taunts in the stands.