/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71300583/1420275053.10.jpg)
Serena Williams’ run at the 2022 U.S. Open is over. Ajla Tomljanović defeated Williams in the third round, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, on Friday to eliminate the 40-year-old superstar from what looks like her final ever major match.
Williams simply ran out of gas against Tomljanović, blowing a lead in the first set and struggling to win the second set. The 29-year-old Australian Tomljanović made easy work of Williams in the third set to win the match.
Williams received an outpouring of support throughout the tournament from fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. It was a thrilling match, but in the end Williams fell just short.
here's just one of the points of this incredible game: pic.twitter.com/daCKqs1NCy
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
@serenawilliams | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/vFw90FfojL
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
Williams is finished in the 2022 U.S. Open now after she also after lost in doubles with her sister Venus Williams on Thursday.
Serena thanked her sister Venus after the match:
"I wouldn't be #Serena if it wasn't for Venus." #usopen pic.twitter.com/MdpT77cFDP
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 3, 2022
Williams has not formally announced she would retire from tennis following the tournament, but she indicated this will be her final Grand Slam at the very least in recent cover story for Vogue. She is a 23-time major champion, and has six U.S. Open titles to her name.
Williams pulled off a stunner in her second round match at the 2022 U.S. Open by defeating the tournament’s No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, to advance in the tournament on Wednesday. Williams now facesSerena Williams is having her last dance before retirement at the tournament, and the 40-year-old superstar isn’t ready to ride off into the sunset just yet. Williams won her first round match against Danka Kovinic, 6-3, 6-3, on Monday in New York before knocking off Kontaveit in the second round on Wednesday.
Williams entered tournament to an eruption of applause inside the stadium led by her 4-year-old daughter Olympia on Monday. She has had a massive wave of support behind with the entire tournament with plenty of famous faces in the crowd, including Tiger Woods, who was there in the second round win against Kontaveit. While injuries have sapped her quickness in recent years, Williams still plays with plenty of power and used it to dominate both of her matches in this tournament.
Williams was a major underdog against Kontaveit, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, but looked in control from the opening set. Williams had 11 aces on the night. She owned the third set, when Kontaveit was clearly overwhelmed by the moment and pressure of the situation. Williams is now 42-0 in the first two rounds of the U.S. Open in her career.
Break point ERASED ✏️ pic.twitter.com/XCeo1ysqfH
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
SERENA WILLIAMS KEEPS ON WINNING pic.twitter.com/1mwixyVjtw
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
Williams had her signature confidence all night on Wednesday:
You just beat the No. 2 player in the world. How did you do it?
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 1, 2022
Serena: "Well, I'm a pretty good player."
Against Kovinic, Williams earned a huge advantage on first serves, winning points at a 77 percent clip in such scenarios (Kovinic was at 61 percent) and also slamming home nine aces (Kovinic had six). For the match, Williams won 76 points to Kovinic’s 52.
Find more on Williams’ run at the 2022 U.S. Open below, including highlights and video of her entrance.
Serena Williams highlights: GOAT upsets No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit
Serena Williams celebrity fans: Tiger Woods, Zendaya, Spike Lee cheer on Williams in round two
The stars are out for #Serena pic.twitter.com/xZC1czTV4p
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
all around pic.twitter.com/EKPjTKLLFl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022
Serena Williams entrance: Daughter cheers for Williams in final U.S. Open
Serena Williams highlights: Williams wins first round match over Kovinic
Serena Williams outfit: Williams goes with figure skating-inspired dress in round one
Serena Williams will wear a figure skating-inspired Nike dress at the US Open that she designed — made of 6 layers to honor her 6 past titles at Flushing.
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 29, 2022
Her NikeCourt Flare 2 shoes include a diamond-encrusted Swoosh and solid gold lace deubrés with 400 hand-set diamonds. pic.twitter.com/9CxtGwQQlU
Serena Williams tribute video: Oprah narrates video for Williams’ last dance
Oprah narrated a tribute video to Serena ❤️ #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rx2qCeVymF
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2022
Loading comments...