Serena Overwhelms Venus in Williams Sisters Clash at US Open

(August 31, 2018) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY- Calling it the best match that she’s played since her comeback since her return to the WTA Tour in March, Serena Williams overwhelmed her sister Venus, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the round of 16.  Serena is now 18-12 in their head-to-head match ups.

The last time their played each other was back in January 2017 when Serena beat Venus for the Australian Open title. Serena was two months pregnant at the time.

The last time they played at the US Open was three years ago in the quarterfinals.

Serena was off and running from the start. She hit 34 winners, which included 10 aces in the 72-minute match.

“It feels good for the match to be over with,” said Serena. “Win or lose, it just feels good that that’s done.”

“I think it’s by far the best match I ever played against her in forever. But I don’t know about ever, ever. It probably was. I played much better tonight than I have since I started this journey on my way back.”

Venus agrees with her sister: “I think it’s the best match she’s ever played against me. I don’t think I did a lot wrong. But she just did everything right. Obviously that level is definitely where she’s going to want to stay during this whole tournament.”

“I mean, every match you play, you have to win,” Venus continued. “She didn’t win that match tonight because I just rolled over. She played untouchable tennis. Whoever she plays, she’s going to earn it. It’s not like people don’t try. People will try against her. I know people are going to keep that up.”

Serena will take on Kaia Kanepi, who defeated No. 1 seed Simona Halep in the first round.

The Estonian Kanepi beat Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 7-6, earlier in the day.

“Well, she obviously knows how to win,” explained Serena in regard to her next opponent. “She played and beat the No. 1 seed. I’ve played her a lot. We’ve had some close matches. Each match is new. She knows how to play very good tennis.”

In other women’s matches on Friday night, 8th seed Karolina Pliskova needed to overcome breaks in each set to beat Sofia Kenin 6-4, 7-6(2).

“It was two breaks in each set,” said the Czech. “I didn’t really feel like it’s two breaks because I was feeling like I’m serving pretty well today. Although I lost two of my service games, I was always up in those games. I just did some bad mistakes.”

“She was really going for her shots, playing really well. I was too passive. That’s why it was a little bit looked like this. I could play for sure more aggressive. But, no, doesn’t matter now. I’m just happy that I won and I’m not still on the court.

Kenin who reached the top 100 for the first time this year says she’s gaining more experience as she’s improving and moving up in the rankings.

“I’m definitely improving throughout the year. I’ve proven that I can compete with these top high players. I tried everything, that’s why she is there where she is. She has the biggest serve and my coaches were literally saying that she she did everything great on break points.

“It’s not like I did anything wrong, she’s an unbelievable player and she had to work for it and congratulations to her for it.”

The teenager Kenin, currently ranked in the 60’s hope to be in the top 50 by the end of the year. “As long as I’m close, and improving, that’s important.”

Pliskova will be playing Ashleigh Barty next in the fourth round.