Mixed fortunes for Williams sisters at US Open

Serena, the six-time US Open champion, was not at her best early on, but she hit a purple patch to dismiss the world no.96. Meanwhile Venus bows out

TAKE THAT: Serena Williams on her way to victory in her 'home' Grand Slam


SERENA WILLIAMS’ opening round straight set success over fellow American Kristie Ahn earned the veteran a record-breaking 102 singles victories at the US Open.

The six-time US Open champion was not at her best early on, but she hit a purple patch to dismiss the world no.96 at the virtually empty Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York 7-5 6-3.

For Williams this was her maiden straight set match since the WTA Tour returned last month, following the enforced six-month break due to the coronavirus outbreak.

I think what’s most important about this event taking place is just the spirit. It’s a Grand Slam, so I’m still as passionate and intense out there.

Serena Williams

Having been knocked out of last week’s Western & Southern Open to Dutch star Maria Sakkari at Flushing Meadows, the 38-year-old was eager to register a triumph on her daughter Olympia’s third birthday and wrapped up the win in 90 minutes following her poor first set display.

Display

It was far from a vintage display by the most successful women’s player of the 21st century, who is chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown and has a terrific shot with such a depleted field. Six out of the world’s top 10 are absent, and a quarter of the top 100 have opted to skip the Slam.

An intriguing opening set saw Ahn cleverly alter tactics after she was initially overpowered. She introduced sliced backhands with thunderous flat forehands in what became an attrition of a fascinating baseline battle, and often outwitted her illustrious opponent.

The only way that Williams eased herself back into the contest was through her trademark power game. Having wobbled yet survived a closely-fought opening set, she reverted to approaching the net as much as possible after trailing 2-1.

This tactic worked wonders for Williams, who finally discovered her momentum to steam on with four successive games and reeled off five of the final six to end the contest with a dozen aces.

Surpassed

Her record 102nd US Open singles victory surpassed legendary US ace Chris Evert, and earned a 2nd round showdown against Margarita Gasparyan on September 3.

Williams, who won the first of her six US Open singles titles in 1999, said: “I think what’s most important about this event taking place is just the spirit. It’s a Grand Slam, so I’m still as passionate and intense out there.

“Sport’s been gone for so long, particularly tennis. We missed two Grand Slams. The morale can be really low in the world with everything that’s going on. Sometimes you just want to take your mind off it, people have been doing that for generations through sport.”

Her sister Venus fell 6-3 7-5 to Czech no.20 seed Karolina Muchova with her error-strewn display resulting in her inaugural 1st round defeat on her home Grand Slam. The 40-year-old’s latest poor performance points towards retirement soon becoming a reality. 

But Serena’s determination to equal, or even break, Margaret Court’s formidable record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles appears to be the reason why the remarkable Williams sisters have yet to hang up their racquets.

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