Serena Williams is ‘one of the favourites for US Open title’ after huge Anett Kontaveit win – Mats Wilander

Serena Williams is “now one of the favourites” for the US Open title after her sensational victory over second seed Anett Kontaveit sent her into the third round, according to Eurosport expert Mats Wilander. Roared on by a raucous crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams overcame a second-set blip to come through 7-6(4) 2-6 6-2 under the lights on Wednesday night. Ad “I have not heard a crowd that loud,” said seven-time major champion Wilander.

US Open'It was difficult to cope' — Tearful Kontaveit on facing Serena's crowd26 MINUTES AGO “I think a lot of people must be seeing Serena for the first time here. “She is playing great. She beat the number two player in the world and that’s a ranking that means one of the most consistent players, I am stunned.” The 40-year-old, who insists she is not yet dreaming of a seventh title in New York, will next face unseeded Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

Williams has been marooned on 23 Grand Slam titles since winning the 2017 Australian Open, with the American still one short of equalling Margaret Court’s all-time major record. But Wilander is not ruling out No. 24 and said she is a «threat» after her upturn in form.

“The movement is much better than I ever could’ve expected and the serve is coming back. She is a threat now," he continued. “I am surprised that she can keep it up but we’ve seen Serena do this at Grand Slam tournaments when she hasn’t had a lot of matches.