John McEnroe said Serena Williams played “unreal” against Anett Kontaveit and described it as a “seriously high quality second round match.” Williams, 40, defeated second-seeded Kontaveit 7-6 (4) 2-6 6-2 to progress into the US Open third round.
After not looking very good in Toronto and Cincinnati, Williams is looking much better in New York. Against Kontaveit, Williams turned back the clock and showed that she simply can’t be underestimated this fortnight. “You know there’s this ad that Serena was in where she turned into Wonder Woman.
Well she’s turned now back into Serena Willliams,” McEnroe said on Eurosport. “First round, that first set looking shaky. All of a sudden she’s playing in a way that, dare I say, we expect her to play, even at 40.
I mean she played unreal. This was a seriously high quality second round match.”
McEnroe: Williams is the GOAT of GOATS
After beating Kontaveit, Williams insisted she plays without any pressure since she “has nothing to lose.”
McEnroe agreed with Williams’ comments and suggested Kontaveit should have tried to play longer rallies against the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “Absolutely right,” he insisted. “She’s already the GOAT of GOAT’s as it is – people are flocking to see her.
I was actually surprised at how well she moved. I didn’t agree with [Anett] Kontaveit – what her plan was. It seemed like she wanted to go toe to toe with her which I think was a big mistake. You’ve got to try to get longer extended rallies if possible, use angles, which I don’t think she did – maybe she can’t do it – but Serena was the one that was mixing it up”.
In the US Open third round, Williams plays Ajla Tomljanovic. Williams and Tomljanovic will be going head-to-head for the first time when they meet at Flushing Meadows.
