Serena Williams’ display of grit in the 2022 US Open underlines how important the former world no 1 wants to proceed on retirement in style.
With 23 Grand Slam titles, one short of the all-time record of 24 by Australian Margaret Court, the American defeated second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round.
Presently ranked 413th in the WTP chart, Williams, who defeated Danka Kovinić 6-3, 6-3 in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, sustained the feat in the second, displacing Kontaveit 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-2 in a crucial contest.
Once more, Williams finally found her feet in the sport she once exerted her dominance in the world by beating the world ranked no 2 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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Following the victory, Williams slated to face world-ranked 45th Ajla Tomljanović, on Friday, in the third round, said she still got something in her sleeves.
“There is no rush here. There is still a little left in me,” Williams explained after the win.
Turning 41 next month, the former world no 1, who held the position for a long-time of over 76 months, started the match against Kontaveit on a flying start but dropped in flare in the second set.
She, however, quickly recovered in the third set to nip further threats from the 26-year-old Croatian in the bud, igniting the ecstatic crowd that celebrated in awe.
“I’m a pretty good player, this is what I do best,” Williams insisted.
“I love a challenge and I’m rising to the challenge.
“I haven’t played many matches but I’ve been practising really well. Now it’s coming together in New York,” she added.
Indeed, it was another special outing for the champion, who aims to tally Court’s record before taking a bow formally.
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