Born in 1981, tennis player Serena Williams was born in Michigan. She is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time and has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion?
Born in Michigan, Serena Williams was a tennis player who was born in 1981; she is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time and
Born in 1981, tennis player Serena Williams (born in Michigan) is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time; she
Serena Williams was originally born in Michigan in 1981, but she is a tennis player; she is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time and
Serena Williams, born in Michigan in 1981, is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time; she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. It uses appositives ("born in Michigan in 1981") to combine the biographical details concisely, allowing the main clause to focus on her status as an athlete.
Choice A is incorrect because "was a tennis player who was born" is wordy. Choice B is incorrect because the parenthetical information is redundant with the first phrase. Choice C is incorrect because "originally born" is redundant.