Serena Williams managed a stunning victory against Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open, but she is still not thinking about winning the tournament.
Williams always attracts more attention than any other female player in the draw, especially at her home Grand Slam. However, the spotlight is twice as significant since it is her last event before retiring.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion began with a straight-sets triumph against Danka Kovinic. Although Williams played a solid match, she did not need to be at her best to win that match.
By contrast, the No. 2 seed was the favorite against Williams. The Estonian has enjoyed the best season of her career, while the former world No. 1 only returned from 12 months out with an injury during the grass-court season.
After a tight opening set, Williams took it on a tiebreak. Kontaveit responded strongly by winning the second set 6-2 and might have expected to take control of the match from that position.
However, Williams produced a stunning third set to prevail 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. Afterward, the 40-year-old said she is not thinking about winning the US Open and already feels like she has won.
“I cannot think that far. I'm here. I'm having fun and I'm enjoying it. Honestly, I've had so many tough matches the last I don't know how long that I just feel like just being prepared for everyone that I play is just going to be really, really difficult. Get through those moments.”
"But here it's different. I feel like I've already won, figuratively, mentally. It's just pretty awesome the things that I've done. I never accept that. I never think about it. So tonight I was just like, ‘Serena, you've already won, just play, be Serena. You're better than this.’ That's what I was able to do.”
Williams will play Ajla Tomljanovic in the next round. That will be a tough challenge, but the six-time US Open champion could be hard for anyone to stop if she reaches her level from the third set against Kontaveit.