Serena Williams has ‘a little left in me’ after US Open win. Doubles, third round up next
defeated No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the U.S. Open on Wednesday night, prolonging her legendary career after announcing plans to “evolve away” from tennis following the year’s final Grand Slam.
Her high-level performance looked far from a swan song. “It’s no rush … I’m loving this crowd. It’s really fantastic. There’s still a little left in me,” Williams said afterward.
Williams will play at least one more match at the U.S. Open. She is set to face Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in a third-round matchup on Friday, but first she will reunite with sister Venus Williams to play doubles on Thursday.
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Serena Williams does it again with second-round upset of No. 2 seed
Williams entered Wednesday’s matchup against Kontaveit an underdog, but she reminded everyone that she’s still “a pretty good player.” She upset Kontaveit 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
Williams went the distance to win the first set 7-6 (7-4) after a thrilling tiebreaker. The boisterous crowd got to its feet applauding Williams, including Tiger Woods who triumphantly pumped his fist alongside her family. The first set lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes.
the star power returned on Wednesday night.
Tiger Woods, Zendaya, Spike Lee, Roger Goodell, P. K. Subban and more stars were on hand to see what could have been Williams’ final match of her legendary career.
Woods sat in Williams’ player’s box and was greeted by Venus Williams during the first set. They were joined in Williams’ box by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, her mother, Oracene Price, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. It was Vogue that carried the Serena cover announcing she was “evolving away from tennis.” Serena long has been a fashion icon and has walked many red carpets, including the Met Gala, which is organized by Vogue.
Following Williams’ win, Woods tweeted: “It was a privilege to watch greatness. Congrats @serenawilliams.”
Kamala Harris, Stephen Curry, more react to Williams’ win
Politicians, sports stars and celebrities that weren’t able to attend the U.S. Open in person took to social media to celebrate Williams’ win and applaud her effort.
“Thank you @SerenaWilliams for inspiring people around the world with your talent, grace, and determination both on and off the court,” Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted. “We celebrate all that you have been, all that you are, and all that is to come.”
fresh off his graduation from Davidson College, tweeted: “Not done yet.”
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Williams will hit the court again during doubles opener with Venus Williams
Williams will take the court at Flushing Meadows with sister Venus Williams on Thursday in a first-round matchup against the Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova at about 7 p.m. ET in Arthur Ashe Stadium.The matchup will mark the first time a first-round doubles match will air during prime-time.
sisters have 14 doubles Grand Slam championships, tied for second in the Open Era, including two at the U.S. Open, in 1999 and 2009. Their most recent doubles Grand Slam title was at Wimbledon, in 2016. They also have three Olympic gold medals in doubles.
“I’m so excited for doubles,” Williams said. “It’s been so long, we got to bring the reunion back. I’m excited to play with Venus and get some more practice.”
Venus Williams is out of the singles competition. She lost 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) to Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium in the first round.
Who is up next?
Williams will face Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia on Friday in a third-round matchup.
The two have never played each other.