Serena Williams’ run within the 2022 US Open will proceed into the third spherical. In a hard-fought match, Williams defeated the No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.

Coming into the event, there have been some questions on how nicely the 40-year-old Williams might transfer on the courtroom. After going toe-to-toe with the 26-year-old Kontaveit and popping out on high, these questions have been answered emphatically.

The primary set went to a tiebreak, and Williams in the end emerged with a 7-6 win. Kontaveit bounced again and totally managed the second set, 6-2, however Williams refocused and got here again with a vengeance within the closing set. With the gang behind her, Williams pulled out a 6-2 win to shut out the match.

With this defeat of Kontaveit, Williams is now 12-1 in opposition to 2-seeds in main tournaments, however this one felt a little bit completely different. In her on-court interview after the match, Williams had a really pointed reply when requested about her capacity to out-duel Kontaveit.

“Nicely … I am a reasonably good participant,” stated on the courtroom after the match. “That is what I do finest. I really like a problem. I really like rising to a problem. I have not performed many matches, however I have been practising rather well, and my previous few matches, it simply wasn’t coming collectively. … The final couple matches right here in New York, it is actually coming collectively.”

On the subject of enjoying out the remainder of the event, Williams is not placing any strain on herself. With all she has achieved all through her profession, together with six US Open titles, Williams stated she does not need to show something to anybody.

“I am tremendous aggressive,” Williams stated. “Truthfully, I am simply taking a look at it as a bonus. I haven’t got something to show. I haven’t got something to win. And I’ve completely nothing to lose. I by no means get to play like this, since ’98, actually. Actually, I’ve had an ‘X’ on my again since ’99. So, it is form of enjoyable, and I actually simply get pleasure from popping out and having fun with it, and it has been a very long time since I have been ready to do this.”

Now, Williams will head to the third spherical, the place she is going to meet Ajla Tomljanovic. The 2 haven’t performed earlier than.