MIXED BAG FOR WOMEN’S FAVORITES AT U.S. OPEN ON THURSDAY, SERENA-VENUS SET FOR FRIDAY

Written by: Staff on 31st August 2018

MIXED BAG FOR WOMEN'S FAVORITES AT U.S. OPEN ON THURSDAY, SERENA-VENUS SET FOR FRIDAY

epa06982630 Serena Williams of the USA serves to Carina Witthoeft of Germany during the third day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/COREY SIPKIN |

Serena Williams of the USA serves to Carina Witthoeft of Germany during the third day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/COREY SIPKIN

By Ricky Dimon

Angelique Kerber, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, and Madison Keys were among the women who advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open on Thurday.

Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return to Johanna Larsson of Sweden during the fourth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 30 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/COREY SIPKIN

Kerber survived a tough three-setter against Johanna Larsson, while Sharapova, Kvitova, and Keys all prevailed in straight sets.

“I think it was really a tough match and a tough battle, especially in the third set,” the reigning Wimbledon champion commented. “I think that I played good until like 5-2 in the second set, and I was really trying to playing the game I was planned to play. And then I think it is tennis that you have to play until the last point. She came back. She played good when she was down, and she had nothing to lose then.

“I mean, at the end, in the third set, it was just like two, three points which decide the match.”

The second round concluded with Thursday’s action, and now the stage is set for round three. And what a stage it will be on Friday night. Serena Williams and Venus Williams will be going head-to-head for the 30th time in their careers.

Serena is leading 17-12, including 3-2 at the U.S. Open. The sisters most recently squared off at this tournament in 2015, when the younger one got the job done 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 during quarterfinal action. They clashed earlier this season at the Indian Wells Masters, as well, with Venus prevailing 6-3, 6-4.

The older sibling took advantage of Serena’s rust, as the latter is making a comeback following the 2017 birth of her first child. Serena is obviously in much better form now, with a Wimbledon runner-up performance to her credit. The world No. 16 has advanced so far this fortnight with straight-set wins over Magda Linette and Carina Witthoeft.

Venus Williams of the US hits a return to Camila Giorgi of Italy during the third day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

Venus punched her ticket to the round of 32 by defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 and Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-5. The 38-year-old had has been in unspectacular form of late, with a third round/quarterfinal result in three consecutive tournaments (Wimbledon, San Jose, and Montreal). Another relatively quick exit would not be a surprise–mainly based on the unfortunate luck of this draw.

“It’s early in the tournament, so both of us are going to be looking forward to continuing to play better,” Venus commented. “It’s definitely a tough draw.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s exciting,” Serena said. “But it’s definitely going to be a really tough match for me. Once again, it’s early in the tournament. You know, it is what it is…. Unfortunately and fortunately we have to play each other. We make each other better. We bring out the best when we play each other.”