Serena Williams marches on in US Open singles play with win over world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit

By Steve Almasy and Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 0611 GMT (1411 HKT) September 1, 2022

Serena Williams hits a return to Anett Kontaveit during their US Open Tennis women's singles second round match.

(CNN)Serena Williams, playing what could be the last US Open of her storied career, won her second-round singles match Wednesday evening, downing world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (4) 2-6 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

«After I lost the second set, I thought, 'Oh, my goodness, I got to give my best effort because this could be it,'» Williams told ESPN in an on-court, post-match interview.Williams looked better than in previous matches this year, where she was still trying to shake the rust of a long layoff.In Kontaveit, however, Williams faced a much sterner test and was undoubtedly the underdog on paper but certainly not with the full house at Arthur Ashe Stadium.A boisterous but behaved crowd cheered her every point.Read MorePhotos: Serena Williams' final actSerena Williams celebrates after defeating Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open on Wednesday, August 31.Hide Caption1 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actWilliams takes pictures with fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium after her win on Wednesday.Hide Caption2 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actWilliams returns a shot during Wednesday's match.Hide Caption3 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actFans cheer on Williams on Wednesday.Hide Caption4 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actWilliams reaches for a shot on Wednesday.Hide Caption5 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actThe fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered every point Williams won on Wednesday, just as they did on Monday.Hide Caption6 of 35Photos: Serena Williams' final actWilliams watches a replay