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Serena Launches Bid for 24th Slam with Straight-Sets US Open Win

AFP

   NEW YORK - Six-time winner Serena Williams got off to a winning start
   Tuesday at a U.S. Open like no other, being played without spectators
   and with stringent measures to prevent Covid-19 infections.

   Williams powered past 96th-ranked Kristie Ahn 7-5, 6-3 as she launched
   her protracted pursuit of a record-equaling 24th singles Grand Slam
   title on day two at Flushing Meadows.

   Elsewhere, Andy Murray fought back from two sets down to win a five-set
   thriller against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, in his first singles Grand
   Slam match in 18 months because of injury and the coronavirus pandemic.

   Williams overcame the loss of her first service game in the opening set
   to advance at a virtually empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, where artwork by
   black artists is displayed in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement
   against racial injustice.

   "I was really happy with how I just fought for every point no matter
   how I was playing," said Williams, joking that it felt like she hadn't
   won a match in straight sets "since the '90s."

   It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand
   Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open --when she was already pregnant
   with daughter Olympia.

   She has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away
   empty-handed.

   Williams needs one more to equal Margaret Court's record, and her
   chances should be improved by the absence of several top players
   because of coronavirus concerns or injury.

   World number one Ashleigh Barty, the second-ranked Simona Halep and
   Canadian Bianca Andreescu --who stunned Williams in last year's final
   -- are all absent from the behind-closed-doors tournament.

   A title win for Williams would also see her become the most decorated
   women's player at the U.S. Open in the modern era.

   She is currently tied with Chris Evert for most U.S. Open women's
   titles with six.

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