Williams looks to extend US Open farewell, Wu eyes upset
farewell
Serena Williams aims to extend her emotional farewell tour at the US Open on Friday as China’s Wu Yibing targets a mammoth upset against men’s champion Daniil Medvedev.
After knocking out world number two Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday, Williams has fans daring to dream of a fairytale 24th Grand Slam title as she prepares to retire from the sport.
The 40-year-old tennis icon will crank up the hysteria further on Friday if she beats Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to reach the last 16.
Williams, who barely played for a year before returning to tennis in early August, has been careful to dampen down expectations in what is likely to be her final tournament, dismissing her chances of victory as “fan fantasy.”
But the manner of her second round win over Kontaveit, when she reeled off a series of vintage winners to clinch the decisive third set, has left many wondering if the fantasy may yet become reality.
“There are a lot of very strong girls there in the draw but I think if she plays really good tennis, I think she always has a chance to win,” was Kontaveit’s verdict.
Certainly, Williams’ path to what would be a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles final has been blown open by the early demise of several higher-ranked rivals.
Three of the top four seeds have already fallen, as well as both of last year’s finalists, 2021 champion Emma Raducanu and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
Williams herself says she is playing without pressure, liberated from the customary expectation that accompanied her Grand Slam campaigns through the years.
“I don’t have anything to prove, I don’t have anything to win. I have absolutely nothing to lose,” Williams said.
