US Open: Serena Williams swansong echoes into the third round

Serena Williams’ Little Black Dress packed more shine than the New York night. Just as well then as the American superstar let some of that sizzle rub off on her play. The 23-time major winner thumped 38 winners en route to a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 second-round win over the world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit. The Estonian powerhouse repeatedly pushed the 40-year-old onto the backfoot, but Serena reached and stretched, chased and charged the Arthur Ashe Stadium, using the two hours and 27 minutes in the middle to underline that her defence was as deep as her offence was destructive. Next up for Serena and her diamond-encrusted sparkle is the Aussie world No. 46 Ajla Tomljanovic.

Wednesday evening got off to a quieter, almost meditative start, but once the game picked up pace, Serena’s early hesitancy up against the 26-yearold’s determined effort saw the grounds — with a record near-30,000 turnout — go from earnest to electric. And when Serena shifted gears and went ahead, breaking Kontaveit for a 5-4 advantage, giving herself a chance to serve out the first set, the Arthur Ashe Stadium exploded. Serena doesn’t call the stands into action, no words, no signals, her presence simply commands. She can also conduct it apparently. Early in the third set when a Kontaveit winner clipped the line, surprising the American, the crowd rained boos on the Estonian. Serena raised her index finger, gesturing to the full house. ‘No, no,’ she mouthed. Had a pin dropped somewhere in the stands a couple of seconds later, it would’ve been heard.

Serena, who came into the US Open, her farewell tournament, having won just one of her last four matches since returning to the Tour in June. Somewhat at sea as to where her career was going, she reached out to