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WITHOUT fans to cheer her on, Serena Williams struggled for a record-setting win in straight sets in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday.
The six-time champion didn’t need the help of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium to give her a boost during her 7-5 6-4 win over 96th-ranked Kristie Ahn.
But sometime during the next two weeks at Flushing Meadows, Williams, as he has instinctively done many times over the past two decades, will be looking in the stands for a turbo-boost and there won’t be any.
“I think the hardest thing is to make sure you’re excited,” Williams said, when asked about the lack of fans and the big crowd atmosphere. “For me it was clearly easy because I am always too passionate.
“I love being passionate. It’s what I’m best at. “
Running empty will take on a whole new meaning in the COVID-19 hit at the US Open, where the bustling energy provided by the crowds that have filled the largest tennis stadium in the past filled the tanks of weary players.
While Williams certainly wasn’t shooting all cylinders Tuesday, he started his US Open when he started another 19, with a win, and improved his first-round match record to 20-0.
And even after 20 years, there were still records to be broken, Williams scored his 102nd US Open victory to surpass the mark he shared with Chris Evert.
The record Williams covets, however, is equaling Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam titles.
After an early break in each set against Ahn on Tuesday, Williams constantly relied on her biggest weapon, her serve, to get her out of trouble, hitting 13 aces and winning 32 of 38 points on the first serve.
But although his service inflicted damage, his other weapons weren’t quite as sharp. And despite saying she was “super fit,” Williams looked fatigued.
Although his on-court coverage was lacking, his power and experience were more than enough to beat Ahn, 28, who is still chasing his first career title.
Williams’ straight sets victory was her first since the WTA Tour restart in August, as her previous five matches had gone the distance.
While Williams recounted the positive aspects of the victory, he acknowledged that there is still a lot to work on.
“I felt like I wanted to be focused from the first point to the last,” said Williams, who got up with yelling and punching throughout the game.
“I feel like I’ve been focused, but I’ve literally been losing matches to a point that could change a match in a different way.
“I just wanted to be Serena, focused from the first point to the last, whatever happens.” – Reuters
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