The two were tied in the first set, which required a tiebreak before Williams was finally able to break with a serve.

Kontaveit came back to win the second set 6–2, but Williams showed that the old rhythms were still there, taking the deciding set 6–2, after a total of almost two and a half hours of battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Broke down at the press conference

The American public showed clear sympathies for Williams, and this in a way that is not so typical of the tennis public.

Among other things, by cheering after misses by Kontaveit - which caused the referee to intervene.

At the press conference after the match, she was asked about it all, and broke down in tears.

- It was tough... It was something I had never experienced before.

I don't think it was a personal attack on me, she said, later continuing:

- I'm definitely not ashamed of losing to Serena.

But it was very tough with the audience, she said, and then left the room.

CUT: Here Tiger Woods appears in the stands - wildly celebrating Serena Williams

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Here, Tiger Woods appears in the stands during the crazy celebration of Serena Williams