‘Serena Willams can fight her way into the tournament’ – Barbara Rittner on American's chances at the US Open

Eurosport tennis expert Barbara Rittner believes Serena Williams can “fight her way into the tournament” at the US Open, which begins on Monday. Williams is expected to retire after Flushing Meadows, after stating she was “evolving away from tennis” earlier this month. Ad She plays Danka Kovinic on Monday night in the first round in what could be her last ever singles match.

US Open‘Highlight of my day’ – Serena and Swiatek meet ahead of US Open4 HOURS AGO “Each round that Serena wins is a success,” Rittner told Eurosport. “But she got a good draw, and with Danka Kovinic, she has an opponent who doesn't have the confidence to compete in this atmosphere at the moment. “In addition, she [Kovinic] is by far not as highly-rated on hard courts as she is on her favourite surface, clay.

Serena, on the other hand, I think she can fight her way into the tournament and maybe reach the third or fourth round, and I would definitely like to see her do that." Kovinic, who has not gone beyond the second round in New York, is 80th in the WTA rankings and has never played Williams before. Asked whether the Montenegro player will feel like it’s a dream or nightmare to play Williams, Rittner said: «That's very much related to the current level of self-confidence of the opponent. »A player who is in good shape and self-confident experiences such a match as a dream.

“There are many on the tour who would love to be on the court with Serena again. For Kovinic, that might not be the case at the moment. I can't imagine her looking forward to the match and probably becoming a small part of Serena's farewell story." Saying goodbye to a GOAT: How does Williams’ retirement impact women’s tennis? Exclusive: ‘Pinch me! Wow, wow’ – Austin reveals