New York (AFP)
American Serena Williams (9th in the world) battled Monday for her entry into the tournament in Cincinnati, relocated to Flushing Meadows, but qualified for the round of 16 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (7/0), at the expense of Dutch Arantxa Rus.
One week before the US Open, his goal for the season after six months of forced absence due to the coronavirus, Williams is still in trouble with his game, weighed down by a very large number of unforced errors. And his fatigue appeared immense at the end of the 2 hours 48 minutes spent on the court against the 72nd world after qualifying.
But his fighting spirit is still intact and that made the difference in the key moments for it to prevail, like the tie-break of the first set torn off with each point punctuated by a cry of rage.
She then paid a little for her debauchery of energy in the second set, before finally recovering in the third by leading 5-2. Moment at which Rus rebelled to win four straight games.
Serena once again released the right shots at the right times, such as this cushioning, her only one of the match, to afford a 6-6 ball, before finally taking advantage of the resignation of her young opponent in the second tie-break. .
"I'm trying to remember the last time I played a 3-hour game ... It was tough, very physical," commented the 38-year-old star afterwards, who will meet María Sakkari in the 8th.
© 2020 AFP