This year's edition of the Western & Southern Open has moved from Cincinnati to New York, so that players can be in a bubble before the US Open, which begins on August 31.

However, several of the tops show dubious form, and both top-seeded Karolina Pliskova and runner-up Sofia Kenin were forced to leave the singles tournament in the second round.

And it looked like the third - Serena Williams - could go the same way. But the 23-time Grand Slam winner eventually took home the third and decisive set in the tiebreak after 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, against Dutch Rus, which lacks a WTA title. It took 2 hours and 49 minutes of play before Williams could be crowned the winner.

- It was tough. It was a really physical match out there, she says.

When the stands gaped empty, Williams had to imagine the support of the home crowd.

- I had an audience in my head or something. It was actually quite fun for me. I do not know, to me it felt like there was an audience there.

Although it was the fourth three-seater since she returned after the corona shutdown, she feels that training during the break has benefited her.

- I am in super shape and super prepared, she says.

In the round of 16, German Maria Sakkari is waiting. Even tenth-ranked Japanese Naomi Osaka is on to the round of 16, after beating Czech Karolina Muchová.

On the men's side, the British Andy Murray is on to the round of 16, since he has knocked out a top ten shaved player for the first time in more than three years.

Murray defeated Alexander Zverev, Germany, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

ARCHIVE: Serena Williams won against sister Venus

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Read more about browser support

The browser is not supported

SVT does not support playback in your browser. We therefore recommend that you switch to another browser.

Read more about browser support