WTA: Serena Williams storms into US Open third round

Omnisports

August 29, 2016 6:51 AM

Serena Williams progressed to the third round of the US Open, and she was joined by sister Venus, Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep.

___5446960___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5446960___2016___9___2___12___serenawilliams-cropped_zb2thmypc1l01k7edls6lo9qo_2

World number one and 22-time grand-slam champion Serena was victorious in straight sets against fellow American Vania King in New York on Thursday.

Venus - the sixth seed - started the sister act at Flushing Meadows with a straightforward 6-2 6-3 win over Julia Goerges.

Fellow seeds Radwanska and Halep made it through the second round.

SERENA'S GRAND SLAM BID ON TRACK

The 22-time grand-slam champion made light work of King, seeing off her countrywoman 6-3 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Serena dropped just one game in her only previous meeting with King – at Flushing Meadows in 2014 – and while that changed, the result was never in doubt.

The 34-year-old hit 19 winners in the first set as she dominated with her power, before cruising through the second.

The match was complete in just 64 minutes, with Swede Johanna Larsson awaiting Serena in the third round.

RADWANSKA, HALEP AND CO. ROLL ON

In a dramatic match, fourth seed Radwanska survived to trump Naomi Broady 7-6 (11-9) 6-3.

In a rain-delayed contest, Radwanska rallied from 4-1 down in the opening set, forcing a tie-break, which she claimed in a topsy-turvy tussle.

Britain's Broady began to fade in the second set and Radwanska capitalised, winning the final three games and setting up a showdown with 25th seed Caroline Garcia, who was too good against Katerina Siniakova 4-6 6-4 6-4.

Halep - seeded fifth - rallied from a break down in the second set to overcome Lucie Safarova 6-3 6-4 in the first ever women's match under Arthur Ashe's new roof.

Awaiting Halep in the next round is 31st seed Timea Babos, who accounted for Richel Hogenkamp 6-2 6-4.

There were also wins for fellow seeds Karolina Pliskova (6-1 7-5 over Montserrat Gonzalez), Carla Suarez Navarro (6-1 6-4 against Jelena Jankovic), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-5) over Kristina Mladenovic) and Elena Vesnina (6-2 6-1 against Annika Beck).

A FORMER US OPEN CHAMPION SAYS GOODBYE

Samantha Stosur - the 2011 champion - bowed out of the tournament following the 16th seed's 6-3 6-3 loss to doubles partner Zhang Shuai.

Swiss 15th seed Timea Bacsinszky was also eliminated, upstaged 6-4 4-6 6-4 by Varvara Lepchenko.

QUEEN BEE WATCHES ON

There was more than one queen on show in the evening session at Arthur Ashe, with music star Beyonce and husband Jay Z notable onlookers during Serena's second-round victory.

ANOTHER SERENA MILESTONE

With her win over King, the American veteran clinched her 306th grand slam victory - matching Martina Navratilova's all-time record.

KERBER BACK IN ACTION

World number two Angelique Kerber headlines Friday's action as she faces CiCi Bellis. Roberta Vinci is up against Carina Witthoeft, while two-time grand-slam champion Petra Kvitova meets Elina Svitolina.

Omnisports

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!