All Twirls After Round One

08/30/2022

By: Matthew Cahill

Serena Williams Wins Opening Round Match in Straight Sets

Despite not having many expectations heading into the event, all eyes heading into the US Open were on Serena Williams, as she announced it would be her last tournament before retiring from professional competition. The six-time US Open winner will live on to play another day, as she defeated Danka Kovinić with a pair of 6-3 sets. She had some moments where she looked like her old self, and gave the fans one more iconic twirl at the rowdiest stage in tennis.

 

After the match, Williams was given a farewell tribute to celebrate all that she’s done for the sport. Billie Jean King was in attendance and showed love to Serena, telling her that she has “the most beautiful serve in the history of this game”. The entire post-match ceremony was a great gesture to one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time while. It was also great to let her get her flowers after a victory opposed to an emotional defeat.

 

While Serena has moved on to the second round, she certainly has her work cut out for her, as she is slated to face the second-ranked player in the world, Anett Kontaveit. It will be quite a tall task to ask someone who hasn’t won a Grand Slam in five years to take down a player of Kantaveit’s stature, but you should never count out Serena, especially at the US Open.

 

Additional Storylines

Yahoo!: Past U.S. Open champs Murray, Medvedev advance to 2nd round

USA Today: US Open Fans Surprise Serena Williams With a heartwarming arena card celebration

 

Photo: Julian Finney / Getty Images