Serena Williams wins on her US Open debut and delays her farewell

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On a magical night in New York,

has beaten Montenegrin Danka Kovinic in her US Open debut to extend her run in the

Serena, 40 years old and

, has beaten Kovinic, number 80 in the WTA ranking, 6-3, 6-3.

The American has celebrated her victory in style with her 23,800 dedicated fans on the

, the largest and noisiest in the world, and now she will face a greater challenge against the Estonian Anett Kontaveit, number two in the world.

"First of all, thank you very much because I did not expect any of this," Serena thanked after her victory.

"When I got on the court I just tried

The crowd was crazy and they really helped me get there."

Although she will also compete in doubles with her older sister, Venus, the sports world had all eyes on

' singles debut , which was attended by celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Mike Tyson and Hugh Jackman, with the expectation that It was the last game of his idol.

"

. When you love something so much, it's very difficult to leave it," said an emotional Williams.

"I have been deciding what to do. Now is the time,

and there are other episodes in life. I call it evolution," she said.

"It's like Serena 2.0. I'll still do crazy things,

. I'll still be there. But I can't wait to wake up and not have to run to a tennis court."

A month after her 41st birthday

, Serena hinted that she will retire after her participation in this US Open, a tournament in which she became known in 1999 with her first Grand Slam title at the age of 19.

After his victory, he has maintained ambiguity regarding the

"I've been pretty vague about it, right? I'm going to keep it that way because you never know," she said.

Kovinic, 13 years younger, was outclassed by a

who was in her best form since her recent return to racing after a year off.

The American has relied on her powerful serve (9 aces) to reduce efforts and was relentless in key moments,

she has faced.

After the match, the Montenegrin was once again grateful for the opportunity to play against a legendary rival.

"Maybe it's the only opportunity in life to

, especially on a night at Arthur Ashe," she said.

"It was an experience that I could only think and dream about in my entire career. I am very happy that I was able to play against her."

dressed in diamonds

After a day full of tributes in newspapers and television,

appeared with a concentrated countenance in the majestic track Arthur Ashe, where she was presented as "the greatest of all time".

The stands were filled with flashes from fans who immortalized the moment with their cell phones or, like

, with a small camera.

For her possible last appearance on the big stage,

wore a dark skirted, diamond-encrusted gown she designed herself, made up of six layers in remembrance of her six US Open titles.

With all the

on her shoulders, the American started serving in a first game in which, after committing a couple of double faults, she overcame two break points.

In the next game

with a run to the net that sealed a spectacular point that gave her a break and sent the message that she, as always, was out to fight.

His game looked sharper than in the other few

he had played this year, in which he conceded three losses.

Leading 2-0, nerves began to change sides although Kovinic responded by winning three straight games.

The reaction ended up being a mirage and

, carried on wings by the public, immediately broke his serve and accelerated relentlessly until giving himself the opportunity to win the set with her serve.

In an epic game,

saved four break points to wrap up the set and now let out her first gasp as the crowd roared in the stands.

Intimidated by the atmosphere and by

in front of her, Kovinic had no ability to react and gave up her serve in the fifth game.

That was the only thing Serena needed to secure her long-awaited victory in her debut and celebrate it with a half turn and a happy smile, before the stands fired her with the mosaic

(We love you, Serena) .

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