US Open 2022: Serena Williams wins first-round match, takes on No. 2 seed Annette Contevit

In the second set, Williams found more rhythm with her serve. Williams appeared to gain more confidence as the second set progressed and Kovinic completely lost control of the match. Williams carried that momentum 6-3 to take the match and advance.

In her US Open career, Williams is now 99-3 when she wins the first set, and her dominance in the tournament doesn’t stop there. Williams has plenty of experience for her team, reaching the semifinals in her last 11 matches at Flushing Meadows.

Not only that, but if this first-round matchup is any indication, everyone in the tournament is behind it. Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted when Williams stepped on the court, and every point she won was met with thunderous applause.

After the match, Williams spoke to CBS Morning’s Gayle King on court about what the fan support meant to her.

“The crowd was crazy,” Williams said. “It really helped pull me through. I was really pumped. I was like, ‘Yeah, I get it.'”

Williams also discussed her decision to step away from tennis and other “chapters” in her life. It wasn’t easy, but Williams felt that now was the best time to move on to other things.

“It was a very difficult decision because when you love something so much and you’re passionate about something, it’s always hard to walk away from it,” Williams said. “Sometimes, I think it’s hard to walk away. That’s what happened to me. I was trying to decide what to do for a while. It keeps you fit. That’s a bonus. I was like, ‘Okay, I guess it’s time.’ has arrived.’ I have a family. There are many more chapters in life. I call it evolution.”

On top of her seventh US Open title in women’s singles, Williams will play her sister Venus in the doubles tournament. That’s something Williams is really looking forward to.

“We’re putting everything in here, at least for me. I can’t speak for my sister. It’s going to be so much fun to play doubles with her. It’s going to be crazy. We haven’t done it in a long time, and I’m really excited about it.”

Williams will now face Annette Kontavit in the second round. Kontavit defeated Jacqueline Christiansen in straight sets in her first match of the tournament.