Serena Williams 'pumped' as she kicks off farewell tour with US Open win over Kovinic

Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the US Open on an emotional night in New York in what is almost cetain to be the 23-time Grand Slam title winner's final tournament.

To the delight of more than 23,000 fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court, Williams, 40, swept Montenegrin challenger Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3 as the final major of the year got underway at Flushing Meadows.

"I feel so comfortable on this court and in front of everyone here," a jubilant Williams said after her victory.

"The crowd was crazy — they really helped pull me through. I was really pumped."

The former world No 1 had won just one match on tour all year before Monday and seen her ranking slip to 605.

That kind of form prompted Williams to reveal that she was on the brink of retirement from the sport in which she played her first match as a professional in 1995.

"It was such a hard decision," said Williams on her decision to announce earlier this month that "the countdown has begun" on her retirement and that she "was evolving away from tennis".

"I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away," she said.

"I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game.

She added: "I think now's the time. I have a family and there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution."

"It's like Serena 2.0. I will still be crazy, I'll still be intense. I'll still be around. But I look forward to waking up and not having to run onto a tennis court."

Serena Williams arrives to play Danka Kovinic. AP Photo

On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamond-encrusted black dress and jacket which sparkled under the lights, overcame a nervy first game for a hold of serve.

The American star brought the crowd to their feet with a