Glitter and glamour were not to be missing from what was supposed to be Serena Williams’ last professional match. But the 40-year-old thwarted the farewell programme in the 1st round of the US Open with a commanding two-set win over Danka Kovinic from Montenegro. Organisers called her performance “electrifying”.
Serena Williams delivers on electric Opening Night at 2022 US Open ➡️ https://t.co/6wZUtdchXl pic.twitter.com/JlyzypnJqW
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Meaning: the 23-time Grand Slam winner will serve at least once more in New York – in round two against Anett Kontaveit from Estonia. The crowd in a party mood thanked her.
The singles match between favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas and qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan from Colombia was less emotional but more exciting. Match point Galan was somewhat surprisingly called at the end of the fourth set. The 26-year-old Colombian kept his cool after his 6:0, 6:1, 3:6 and 7:5 success.
The Australian duel between Nick Kyrgios and his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis was won smoothly in three sets (6:3, 6:4 and 7:6) by the world number 18 Kyrgios.
An efficient performance in R1 for @NickKyrgios pic.twitter.com/X0uE1GmtsA
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Kyrgios will face Benjamin Bonzi of France in round two.