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Serena Williams’ career isn’t over.
The six-time U.S. Open champion begins her quest for a seventh in the 2022 first round on Monday Defeated Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3 in the game. US Open @usopen
Queen of Queens. pic.twitter.com/WipNUcGL5q
This is the first game between Williams and Covinic, and it’s hard to write one player outplaying the other by such a large margin Happening.
Not only do the Americans have 73 professional singles titles with Covinic Zero, but at this year’s U.S. Open, the real Tennis has given way to one of the biggest storylines in the entire sports world.
Earlier this month, Williams announced that her storied career would end after the final Grand Slam of the year .
“This is the most difficult thing I can imagine,” she wrote. “I don’t want it to end, but at the same time I’m ready for what comes next.”
Her greatness Beyond tennis, as she is one of the most accomplished athletes in sports history and is on the list of historical legends like Tiger, Michael and LeBron who are instantly known by a name. Tickets skyrocketed after her announcement when fans realized this year’s US Open would be their last chance to watch her play. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has been a fan favorite in New York, and that was on full display from Monday’s opening moments, when the crowd gave her a pre-game introduction to a roar of applause, deeming her the greatest of all. time. US [email protected]
Now this is an entry, @serenawilliams . #USOpen pic.twitter. com/vpdNSWcTes
Greg Rosenthal @greggrosenthal
They usually list all the player’s achievements when the player is on the field. For Serena’s last game, they were simple: “The greatest ever.”
Frankly, Monday wasn’t really a personal tennis match. Nothing stands out more than the overall atmosphere of the celebration, the tense energy, and ultimately the appreciation of historical greatness.
But it was clearing the crowds there to watch Williams win, and the first set was defined by her ability to overcome early adversity.
She won the first set 6-3 with five double faults, back-to-back losses and a moment of pressure. Sometimes the start is more a question of who will find their serve than who will break, and Williams finally did as Covinic was visibly frustrated and raised his arms after the extra points. Bleacher Report@BleacherReport What to play. #SerenaWilliams
(via @usopen ) pic.twitter.com/IwODidQHFn LeBron [email protected] Continue to serve 🐐! ! ! ! @serenawilliams #USOpen2022
Coco Gauff@CocoGauff
We are here. Look 🐐. I love you @serenawilliams pic.twitter .com/VGMBT3LbUN
It was clear in the second set that Williams was in complete control.
Aces started to swarm, and a 3-2 break made a second-round appearance inevitable. She earned another break on Covinic’s last serve to win the game.
All in all, she completed 9 aces and won 77% of first service points, according to the U.S. Open ‘s official website. All she needed was a timely interruption of serve after a slow start, and even some old-fashioned Serena hits as she put the finishing touches on the win. Williams’ second-round matchup with second-seeded Annette Kontaveit will get even more challenge.
