WATCH: Mattek- Sands returns to tour in Eastbourne

After a six-month injury hiatus, Bethanie Mattek-Sands is back in action and, in her first week, she's into the semifinals of Eastbourne. She hadn't played since the Australian Open and announced she needed another knee surgery at the end of February.

The 34-year-old is teamed up with Kirsten Flipkens for the first time. After their quarterfinal win, she covered a wide range of topics with Prakash Amritraj, from hair products to the importance of a positive attitude during trying times.

The aptly named team “Flipper and the Bee” have stormed through the Eastbourne draw without dropping a set. They'll face Romanians Simona Halep and Raluca Olaru on Thursday.

The return of Mattek-Sands comes just a few weeks after her former partner Lucie Safarova retired. The duo, known as "Team Bucie" won five Grand Slams together.

"I'm trying out a few different partners, and they're all friends of mine," Mattek-Sands said. "So that's what keeps it consistent."

She's set to team up with fellow American Danielle Collins next week at Wimbledon.

This week's TENNIS.com Podcast features special guest CiCi Bellis, who's plotting a comeback after undergoing four surgeries.