Serena Williams Starts US Open With a Comfortable Singles victory

Serena Williams continued her farewell tour on Monday, defeating Danka Kovini in straight sets and advancing to the second round at 2022 U.S. Open.

Williams lingered on the court for a special post-match ceremony honoring the tennis icon’s 20-plus years of brilliance after getting a warm wave of applause from a Flushing Meadows crowd still buzzing after her first-round triumph.

To kick off the celebrations, veteran CBS anchor Gayle King took the microphone and welcomed the legendary Billie Jean King, who shared her thoughts on Williams’ far-reaching effect as an athlete and cultural figure.

A small initial pump, a large dance, and a tremendous smile. Serena Williams won another first-round match at the US Open, but it was far from her ordinary first-round victory.

Williams started what is likely her final event ever with a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Danka Kovinic, ahead of her inevitable retirement from the sport she has revolutionized.

In the second round on Wednesday, Williams will face No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit. In a battle of this significance, it was tempting to overestimate each point and game. It had to have been nerves when Williams faced two break points in the first game.

The stage must have been too much for Kovinic as she battled back to win that game and the next. In reality, no inferences could be derived from those early games. There are never any. Instead, Williams sat down.

She broke Kovinic back in a long sixth game to get back on serve at 3-3, and when she was given an inch, she grabbed a mile, maintaining serve at love to take a 4-3 lead and then breaking Kovinic at love to win the opening set.

Serena Williams’ greatness is now a different kind of greatness. The ability to compete even when the odds are stacked against you, preparation is tough, and the end is nigh. We should enjoy brilliance in all its grandeur.