The American defeated the number two in the world, Kontaveit, and is still very much alive in her farewell
MADRID, 1 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
American tennis player Serena Williams beat Estonian Anett Kontaveit (7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2) to reach the third round of the US Open, the tournament that has marked the end of her career.
The champion of 23 ‘big’ signed an exhibition before 29,000 people in the Arthur Ashe who vibrated and suffered with her. In her fifth match since she returned to Wimbledon after a year without playing, Serena brought out the best version of herself against the world number two.
The six-time champion had a great serve, was aggressive to the return and withstood the physical demands of two and a half hours at a high level, also overcoming the long exchanges of decisive moments. Three weeks after her 41st birthday, the youngest of the Williams warned that she has nothing to lose and that she does not want to leave.
Both started serving well and Serena missed a long first game in the seventh to break. The local idol continued with determination and achieved the ‘break’ to get 5-4 in the middle of the electricity of the New York central. The former number one in the world failed to close the set against a firm Kontaveit and with both tennis players holding on, she reached 6-6.
In the ‘tie-break’, the long and strong exchanges went to Serena, who closed her declaration of intent with an ‘ace’. However, the number two in the world did not collapse there either and silenced Arthur Ashe in a forceful second set, despite the fact that the American recovered a ‘break’ before thinking about the tiebreaker.
The lack of shooting could go against Serena, but in the third set she took the lead with a storming start. By a hair, the American did not achieve a second ‘break’ and in the third game she took the jug of cold water to lose the advantage. Once again, after spectacular games, the game got tough, but the champion of 23 ‘greats’ remembered her best times to go 4-1.
Kontaveit began to weigh the night in New York and a Serena determined to extend her career by saving a ‘break’ ball in the seventh game. The American not only refused to say goodbye, but she did it with a game that now makes her one of her favorites. Her rival in the third round will be the Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.