With the group on Arthur Ashe Stadium sure to be on her aspect and a flawless first-round report on the U.S. Open bolstering her, Serena Williams could have a number of benefits Monday evening earlier than she strikes a ball.

To beat her, Danka Kovinic should play the match of her life.

The 27-year-old from Montenegro has but to seize a WTA singles title, although she has logged her finest yr on the majors so far. She reached the third spherical at each the Australian Open and Roland Garros for the primary time, clocking a gutsy, three-set victory in opposition to reigning U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu in Melbourne alongside the best way.

“After the primary set, she was hitting slice forehands. I’ve by no means hit a slice forehand in my life. For units I used to be principally doing that. I don’t know the way it ended up so shut,” Raducanu stated Friday, when requested about Kovinic’s sport. “… I bear in mind she was actually, actually strong, was staying with you, counterpunching. Then after you drop one after a protracted rally, then she would assault. She’s completely happy to run, completely happy to rally. She’s an awesome athlete. It’s going to be an excellent matchup, I believe.”

Kovinic will likely be seeking to rediscover that robust defending from January tonight. She enters the matchup on a five-match dropping streak after she withdrew from Wimbledon with a decrease again difficulty, and hasn’t gained a match because the French Open in Could.

At No. 80 on the earth, she is one in every of simply two gamers from Montenegro with a WTA rating (the opposite sits at No. 988). She reached a career-high rating of No. 46 in 2016.