Williams retirement on hold after win over world number two

NEW YORK: Playing more like a world number one than a player ranked outside the top 600, Serena Williams turned back the clock on Wednesday (Aug 31) to stun world number two Anett Kontaveit 7-6(4) 2-6 6-2 and move into the third round of the US Open, putting her retirement plans on pause.

Defeat has always been hard to swallow for the fiercely competitive Williams and the 40-year-old American's relentless will to win was on full display during an absorbing two-hour 27 minute contest of unexpected high quality, breathless intensity and drama.

Williams had signalled her intention to retire earlier this month, saying she was "evolving away from tennis" but never confirming the US Open as her final event.

Any farewell has now been put on hold with Williams back on centre court on Thursday for a doubles match with older sister Venus, followed by a third round clash with Australian Ajla Tomljanovic who was a 1-6 6-2 7-5 winner over Russia's Evgeniya Rodina.

"I'm a pretty good player", said Williams with a sly grin when asked how she downed the world number two. "This is what I do best - I love a challenge, I love rising to a challenge".

"The last couple matches here in New York it's really come together.

"I'm super competitive - honestly I'm just looking at it as a bonus.

"I have absolutely nothing to prove."

With 23 Grand Slam titles and widely regarded as the greatest women's player of all time, Williams indeed has done it all on the tennis court.

But after two wins and now safely through to the third round the once-unthinkable dream of a Hollywood ending to Williams' career just might be in the cards, walking off into retirement with an elusive 24th major that would put her level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list.