Serena Williams is still not ready to end her career! The American veteran is through to the US Open third round for the 21st time from as many trips to New York, increasing her tally to 108 US Open wins and 367 at Majors.
Serena is the second most successful player at Majors on both Tours, standing two behind Roger Federer, who is on 369. Serena could have caught Roger with a solid run at the US Open, but she lost in the opening round. The American kicked off her 21st and last US Open with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Danka Kovinic in an hour and 30 minutes.
Williams defended eight out of ten break points and secured five breaks of serve to control the pace and move into the second round. Serena extended her incredible streak to 42-0 in the US Open first two rounds with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 victory over the 2nd seed Anett Kontaveit in two hours and 27 minutes.
Serena Williams stands on 367 Major victories.
Williams won one point more than Kontaveit, and they both delivered five breaks of serve. The crowd’s favorite raised her level in the decider to leave the Estonian behind and give their fans something to cheer about.
Serena saved a break point in game four with a service winner to avoid an early setback. Anett defended break points in game seven to stay on the positive side, and Serena pushed hard on the return two games later. Williams broke in game nine after Kontaveit’s backhand error and opened a 5-4 advantage.
The American served for the set in game ten and got broken at 15 after a double fault. The servers were too good in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break, and they continued strongly in the first seven points. Serena grabbed a mini-break in the eighth point and sealed the opener with an ace in the 11th point for 7-6 in 63 minutes.
Kontaveit made a fresh start in the second set and opened a 4-1 advantage with three consecutive breaks on her tally. The Estonian served well in the rest of the set and held in game eight for 6-2 and a boost ahead of the decider.
Serena regained her composure and broke twice for 3-1. The American held at love in game five to extend the gap before facing a break point at 4-2. Williams denied it and closed the game with a forehand drive-volley winner that sent her closer to the finish line.
Kontaveit served to stay in the match at 2-5 and faced three match points. Serena sealed the deal on the first in style, firing a return winner to emerge at the top and extend her career.
