“When we both saw the draw, it was a nightmare,” Kyrgios says. He believes Kokkinakis would’ve beaten 80% of the field tonight and looks forward to being on the same side of the net in doubles. “We’re going to play each other, hopefully, never again.”
Kyrgios was watching Serena with his girlfriend. Now he wants to get some food and chill out.
I’ve had enough food for the day/night, but chilling out sounds good to me. Thanks for following along, and I’ll surely be back another time or two or three during the New York fortnight.
Updated
So Nick Kyrgios has defeated his doubles partner with little trouble, cruising through every one of his service games and doing just enough with his returns to take the win. No major behavioral issues this time, though he had some strange conversations with people in his box. Maybe he’ll explain in his postmatch interview now?
Nick Kyrgios defeats Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets
A serve-and-volley/smash brings up match point. 6-4 Kyrgios
Ace, and it’s over.
Kokkinakis gets to that serve, but it only takes a couple more shots for Kyrgios to pick up the point. We’re still on serve. 4-3 Kyrgios.
Kokkinakis takes some time bouncing the ball after a let. Getting nervous? His serve is good, though, and he rushes the net looking to put it away. Kyrgios lobs, but it’s just a hair too long. 4-4.
Finally, a mini-break. Kokkinakis misses his first serve, and the second leaves Kyrgios a relatively easy return. A short rally ensues, and Kokkinakis hits wide. 5-4 Kyrgios, and he can win by holding his two serves.
Superb return from Kyrgios leads to a nicely balanced rally, but Kyrgios puts one into the net. 2-2
Service winner. 3-2 Kokkinakis.
Kokkinakis can’t handle the serve. 3-3. The only rally we’ve had so far in this tiebreaker was on the fourth point.
Kokkinakis ace down the middle. 1-0
Kyrgios overpowers Kokkinakis on his serve. 1-1.
Repeat. 2-1 Kyrgios.
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 6-6 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios tries a drop shot but finds the net. He responds with an ace and another serve that Kokkinakis simply can’t handle. And another serve that Kokkinakis can’t handle. And an ace … to the tiebreaker we go, and you’d think Kyrgios is heavily favored.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 5-6 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios is having a lovely conversation with his coaches/mates, occasionally interrupted by the need to return a serve. He hits a lob in a bid to go up 15-30 but puts it wide. Kokkinakis easily wins the next point and finishes the game with an ace.
So if Kyrgios wins one more service game, we’re off to a tiebreaker.
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 5-5 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Fault, ace.
Fault, winner.
Error.
Easy winner at the net. 40-15.
Ace.
Kokkinakis has won 11 out of 68 receiving points. That’s it.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 4-5 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Three straight aces, and now Kyrgios has to serve to stay in the set.
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 4-4 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Well, that was entertaining. Kyrgios hits a ball between his legs, and it’s set up for an easy Kokkinakis smash. He smashes it, all right – right into the net. Kyrgios wins the next three in the blink of an eye and holds at love.
Tons of pressure now on Kokkinakis to hold.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 3-4 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
It appears the object of Kyrgios’ ire is his own coaching box, as he points out that it’s legal now to offer advice with certain constraints. But it’s other people who are talking, as the chair umpire has warned some courtside fans.
Kokkinakis makes this game difficult with a double fault that gets us to a rare deuce, but he slams a winner and forces Kyrgios into an error to wrap up the game.
Here’s Leylah Fernandez – now can someone explain the bit about the commonwealth and Bianca?
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 3-3 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
From the inbox, Jack Eyer is irritated: “Disappointed Canuck here not even a passing shot about the belle of the ball last year. She’s off to a nice start nonetheless. Oh, I forgot the commonwealth thing and your belle Bianca.”
So let’s state for the record that 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada, the 14th seed, has defeated France’s Oceane Dodin 6-3, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios holds at love.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 2-3 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Oh dear. Kokkinakis just looks like he’s giving up the ghost, with a succession of errors giving Kyrgios three break points. For the first time in the match, Kokkinakis saves one in a long rally. He survives the second as well.
Then a service winner brings it to deuce, and he follows with another. Maybe we gave up on him too soon?
Or not. Kokkinakis hits one very long.
Or yes. Kyrgios dinks one into the net.
And Kokkinakis finishes with an ace. So, yes, we gave up on him too soon.
Then for the first time tonight, we hear Men At Work’s Australian anthem Down Under. I saw Men At Work perform a couple of weeks ago. Quality show.
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 2-2 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
A couple of wayward Kyrgios shots, and suddenly Kokkinakis is up 15-30. That’s the best he has stood in any of Kyrgios’ service games. Three serves later, Kyrgios holds. Two of them were simple serves-and-volleys – maybe not planned, but Kokkinakis’ returns didn’t go very far, and another was a service winner.
From the inbox: Ian ES takes issue with the GOAT designation: “My perspective is that Margaret Court won more majors than Serena and is hence entitled to the GOAT nickname until/unless Serena surpasses her total. Look, I don’t like Margaret Court at all (her anti-gay and fundamentalist Christian views do not align with my value system) but she HAS won more majors. I am also aware that Serena would clearly win a face-to-face match, but don’t forget that Margaret Court was playing with a wooden racquet at a time when fitness training (especially for women) was in its infancy.”
Counterargument: Competition is much tougher today, in part because all the best players have the best racquets and the best fitness training. Court played well before the game took off globally, especially in Russia.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 1-1 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios takes the first point and comes so close to making it 0-30 with a nifty drop shot, but it catches the net cord and falls back into his half of the court. Kokkinakis follows with his seventh and eighth aces of the match, and Kyrgios shanks one wide on the last point.
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 1-1 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios wins the first point and follows with three service winners. Holds at love. Again. If Kokkinakis wasn’t serving reasonably well, this would be a rout.
*Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 0-1 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios took a quick break between sets and came back in a nice, dry shirt. The East Coast has been rather swampy in recent days, so players won’t need much effort to sweat.
Deuce! We have deuce! Not entirely sure, but I believe this is our first. Kyrgios won the first point, dropped the next three and then stayed in when Kokkinakis made a dreadful error. Kokkinakis was then unable to cope with a good Kyrgios return to bring the game level. But two good serves, the second one an ace, wrap up the game.
Here’s how the first set ended, not all that long ago:
.@NickKyrgios takes the first set in EMPHATIC fashion 😤#USOpen pic.twitter.com/SOmiMNEWls
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2022
Kyrgios 6-3 6-4 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
A blazing forehand winner from left to right closes out the game as Kyrgios holds at love. Kokkinakis barely contested any point, and the favorite is up two sets to none.
*Kyrgios 6-3 5-4 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios edges out to a 15-30 lead, but Kokkinakis evens things up. Then it’s the longest rally so far, a whopping 15 shots, ending with Kyrgios hitting just wide. Kokkinakis closes it out, but now Kyrgios will serve for a two-set lead.
The match is moving too quickly for me to check, but I can’t recall a game going to deuce. We’ve only had two break points, both earned and converted by Kyrgios.
Kyrgios 6-3 5-3 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Once again, the receiver takes the first point – only the ninth receiving point Kokkinakis has won – and loses the rest.
*Kyrgios 6-3 4-3 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
A mirror image of the previous game, with Kyrgios taking the first point but flailing in his efforts to make effective returns the rest of the way.
We are still trucking along here. That’s good news for those of us whose bedtime has been affected by the pomp and circumstance around the Serena Williams match, which took a while in its own right.
Kyrgios 6-3 4-2 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Kokkinakis outlasts Kyrgios to lead 0-15 – I won’t have time to go back and check, but that might be the first lead he has held in a Kyrgios service game. Kyrgios reasserts the natural order of the world with a forehand winner and a drop shot. He argues with the umpire about … something. Then he simply elicits two errors from Kokkinakis, and it’s another easy hold in the end.
*Kyrgios 6-3 3-2 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios seems mildly agitated. Hard to see why, other than perhaps some frustration with himself after an unforced error takes the game to 40-15. Easy hold for Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios 6-3 3-1 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Another upset to report, this one in an all-American matchup: Brandon Holt, ranked 303rd, has knocked out 10th seed Taylor Fritz.
And in the time it has taken me to type that, Kyrgios has held at love, with three winners and an ace.
*Kyrgios 6-3 2-1 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kokkinakis also has a good serve. An ace and a service winner close it out as Kokkinakis holds at love.
We’re going so quickly here. That’s 41 minutes for 12 games.
Kyrgios 6-3 2-0 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios looks like he’s showing off now. He has all day to hit from the baseline, and he finesses a drop shot that clears the net by no more than a couple of inches. Kokkinakis’ attempt to return it goes under the net. The it’s ace, error, ace, and Kyrgios has just had no problems at all in his service games.
*Kyrgios 6-3 1-0 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kyrgios has dialed in his service returns now, and that may have rattled Kokkinakis, who double faults to give Kyrgios a triple break point. Kokkinakis’ next serve is good, but Kyrgios’ return is better, and Kyrgios is in control the rest of the way to break at love. He’s 2-for-2 on break points. Kokkinakis hasn’t come close to having one.
Kyrgios 6-3 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Up 30-0, Kyrgios makes a curious decision, sending what should be an easy volley at the net up and well over the back line. He fares better on the next point, fending off Kokkinakis’ attempt to sneak the ball past him at the net. That’s two set points for Kyrgios, the first of which he squanders with a double fault.
But he ends the set in emphatic fashion, moving up to the net and being teed up for a shot that’s more of a spike than a smash. No mistake there.
*Kyrgios 5-3 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
The statis has ended. Kyrgios wins the longest rally of the match, then sends a rocket back across the court on a service return to convert the first break point between the two so far.
Kyrgios 4-3 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
What does this match have in common with Pluto? There’s not much of an atmosphere.
You can’t blame the players. These points would be longer if these guys weren’t so powerful and precise. A few terrific returns, though, would get the energy level back up a bit.
*Kyrgios 3-3 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Two aces in another routine hold. Kyrgios’ best chance was at 30-15, but what qualifies as a long rally in this match ends when a Kyrgios shot clips the net cord and continues out of play.
Updated
Kyrgios 3-2 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
We haven’t even played 15 minutes, and five games are in the books. Few rallies longer than a shot or two, no game going to deuce. Kyrgios closes out this one with an ace.
The match on Court 15 is in its fifth set and fourth hour, so you can hop over there if you like. But this one might be halfway done by the time you’ve finished changing streams. (Not that you need a stream when you have me painting the pictures here. It’s green, with a blue court)
*Kyrgios 2-2 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Just when I’m about to say Kyrgios isn’t returning well, he puts one right at the feet of Kokkinakis to cut the lead to 40-30. But Kokkinakis fires a strong second serve that Kyrgios can’t handle, and that’s our game.
Spike Lee is still here. Good for him.
Kyrgios 2-1 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
If you like long rallies, find another match to watch. Kyrgios is simply firing them off rapidly here, and he’s up 40-0 right away. The 23rd seed decides to add a bit of entertainment with a quick underhanded serve, only to see Kokkinakis place a drop shot with enough sidespin to take the ball to Brooklyn. Or Long Island. I’m not sure which way they’re facing.
Anyway, Kyrgios hits a winner, and that’s another game down.
*Kyrgios 1-1 Kokkinakis (* denotes next server)
Kokkinakis sits uncomfortably at 30-30 but follows a solid serve with a nifty sliced drop shot that Kyrgios can’t get anywhere near. Then it’s an ace, and it’s 1-1.
Kyrgios 1-0 Kokkinakis* (* denotes next server)
Routine opener for Kyrgios, losing a point on a double fault but otherwise cruising.
The crowd is no longer awake.
Galan upsets Tsitsipas
Another long service game for the fourth seed, and this time, he can’t hold. Huge win for the Colombian.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios opens with an ace and a double fault.
Two more minutes before Kyrgios-Kokkinakis, and meanwhile, Galan has two more match points against Tsitsipas. And he’s missed them. If he can’t close this out, this will be a huge opportunity missed.
Kyrgios vs. Kokkinakis soon to start
The countrymen and doubles partners are taking the court. We’ll keep an eye on Tsitsipas-Galan, where Galan managed to hold a difficult service game and is now getting treatment for a leg wound, but our other three eyes will be on the Australians. (I wear glasses, so that’s four.)
Service winner for Tsitsipas, and he seems pleased.
If you’re tuning in for the all-Australian men’s first-round match, we will get to it. You haven’t missed anything. The Celebrity Roast of Serena Williams is still in progress, delayed a bit by the fact that Serena had to go out and win a tennis match first.
Deuce. Again. Clearly, this is all my fault.
But Tsitsipas wins the next two rallies, and it’s game on. Or would it be “match on”?
The fourth seed saved five match points. And now Galan has to regain his composure while the umpire reaches under her chair to grab some new tennis balls.
Boom boom, and Tsitsipas fends off the break points. But Galan approaches the net in the next point and plays brilliantly with a succession of volleys that wears down the great Greek.
Galan then literally takes a run at the upset, chasing down a drop shot and getting back up to run down another. He finally unleashes a lob that Tsitsipas, frozen at the net, can only watch, knowing his tournament is over if it lands in. It doesn’t.
Again, Galan earns a match point. Again, Tsitsipas fends it off. Then Galan dinks one into the net. And again, Tsitsipas has an unforced error, and it’s deuce.
Good crowd here, incidentally, even with the vortex of Serena Williams drawing the bulk of the interest.
Long-ish rally, and then Tsitsipas hits one far away. Fifth match point …
Let’s peek in on fourth-seeded Stefano Tsitsipas, who’s serving to stay in the match against the world’s 94th-ranked player, Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia.
Galan won the first 11 games and closed out the second set 6-1. Tsitsipas fought back to win the third.
But Tsitsipas is hitting wildly. And badly. Double match point …
Updated
In the first set, Danka Kovinić arguably defeated herself, getting rattled when a close call changed the momentum. In the second set, Serena Williams simply put it together.
The bad news for Serena is that she now faces the No. 2 player in the world, Anett Kontaveit of Estonia. Second Set Serena needs to show up in that one, because First Set Serena made too many mistakes.
But if the GOAT wins that one, then do we start talking about a possible 24th major?
Up next: Australian Nick Kyrgios vs. Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, a matchup that the ever-iconoclastic Kyrgios doesn’t seem to view as a must-win. I’ll be here for that one after the powers that be wrap up a pre-planned celebration of Serena’s career. Williams doesn’t actually seem that thrilled to be sitting on the court listening to speeches after a nerve-wracking win, but a few quips are making her smile.
Updated
We already have an early version of the story:
Serena Williams wins 6-3, 6-3
Kovinić starts her attempt to stay in the match with a double fault. Then it’s 0-30. Another fault. An unforced error. Three match points. She only needs one, running Kovinić back and forth until the Montenegrin finally bows out with a backhand into the net.
Williams 6-3 5-3 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
Kovinić simply can’t handle Serena’s serve any more. A backhand winner finishes things off as Serena holds at love.
*Williams 6-3 4-3 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Kovinić gets her serve going – one drilled close to Williams’ body that is returned wide, then a nicely placed ace down the middle for 40-15. Kovinić has an unforced error on the next point but settles nicely to hold.
Williams 6-3 4-2 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
This bodes well for the Serena-Venus doubles campaign here – Serena’s net game looks good, with a couple of impressive volleys off sharply hit balls. The last goes wide, and that’s 15-30. Two straight aces and a forehand winner silence any concerns there, and Spike Lee is excited.
*Williams 6-3 3-2 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Kovinić isn’t playing badly in this second set. Serena has just found that next gear. She paints the line with a backhand return to get two break points. Then Kovinić, perhaps with too much time to think about it, puts a shot long. The first set was a barnburner aside from Kovinić’s mini-slump after a very close call (but not one anyone can argue, unless you want to yell at a bunch of cameras and computers), but after this break, this might be routine from here on out.
Williams 6-3 2-2 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
No deuce in this one. Serena holds at love, with a strong serve setting up easy winners.
Meanwhile, after dropping the first 11 games, Stefanos Tsitsipas has come back to win the third set against Daniel Elahi Galan.
*Williams 6-3 1-2 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Kovinić scrambles well to get to a drop shot, but she looks up and sees Serena standing right where she wanted to put her return, and she sends it wide instead. Kovinić has to go to her second serve on the next point, and a vintage Serena forehand makes it 0-30. Cross-court winner for Kovinić. Cross-court winner for Serena. Double break point. Then a perfectly placed ace for Kovinić – it’s only 96 mph, but it’s slicing away, and Serena doesn’t even attempt to get there. At 30-40, Serena puts a shot into the net, and we have …
Deuce!
Any more deuces, and we could go all in and win the World Series of Poker.
A poor Williams return gives Kovinić a chance to hold. Instead, she gets nothing on her return from a Williams forehand, and it’s …
Deuce!
Serena acrobatically returns the next serve, but Kovinić takes the point and serves out the game with an ace.
Williams 6-3 1-1 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
The key point here comes at 30-15, with Kovinić racing from side to side to prolong a 15-shot rally before sending one long. A Serena ace events up the set.
*Williams 6-3 0-1 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Fault! Fault! Fault! Another rough stretch for Kovinić, who quickly finds herself down 15-30. But Serena rushes a return, and it’s 30-30.
Serena wins the next point, but let’s not talk about that. The next point is sublime. Slice, drop shot, baseline drive, and it finally ends with a Kovinić winner that Serena can only applaud.
Kovinić, though, just can’t quite close the deal. She’s 2-for-10 on break points, and then on her own service games like this, she keeps missing chances. Still, a couple of Williams errors gives her a chance to win on her serve. Kovinić chases down a shot in the corner, and Serena responds with her worst mistake of the night so far, putting the ball in the net with the entire court at her mercy.
From the inbox: Cary Gee asks if Serena has actually said this is her last tournament. She has said she will “evolve away from tennis” after the Open. A comeback after that would be a surprise, but maybe not a shock?
Williams wins first set 6-3
That was anything but easy.
Kovinić breaks the drought with a great approach to the net. Serena responds with an ace, and Kovinić sends a horrible shot wide. Serena misses an opportunity to go up 40-15, and then another error gives Kovinić a surprising break point. Serena flirts with disaster with a fault followed by a let, but after looping her second serve into play, she wins a baseline rally with conviction.
Then turnabout is fair play, as Kovinić puts a shot on nearly the same spot on the court where Serena placed a shot barely on the line and started her big run. Serena is momentarily stunned but comes back to win the next point on a Kovinić error. Deuce. Again. These are some long games.
A good serve that Kovinić can barely parry makes it set point. But Serena misses her next first serve, and Kovinić rallies well to get to deuce. Again. These are some long games.
Then we get a truly outstanding point, with Serena running Kovinić ragged before surprising the Montenegrin with a drop shot. Kovinić somehow finds her footing to get there, and Serena’s lob attempt is quite long. But Serena responds with a serve that Kovinić can’t return into play. Deuce. Again. These are some long games.
Speaking of long, an unforced error from Serena makes it break point. Again. The fourth of this game. How does Serena respond? Ace. Deuce. Again. These are some long games.
How about another ace? Set point.
And how about another serve that Kovinić can’t get back over the net? Set.
*Williams 5-3 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Kovinić opens with a double fault. Another fault follows, and Serena destroys the second serve to go up 0-30. A desultory forehand into the next gives Serena three break points. She only needs one. Serena breaks at love, and Kovinić angrily sends a ball skyward.
Updated
Williams 4-3 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
The highlight here is a Kovinić lob that might have set off the radar at nearby JFK airport. But Serena simply whacks it away. Another lob attempt goes wide, and Serena holds at love.
Kovinić was an inch away from being up 4-2. Now she’s reeling.
Summary
*Williams 3-3 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
Will two straight unforced errors put a dent in Kovinić’s confidence? Maybe. At 15-30, Kovinić rips one of her best serves of the match and still loses the point, hanging a drop shot where Serena can easily hit the winner.
Kovinić comes back, though, with an ace and a powerful winner to fight off two break points. The next serve nearly knocks the GOAT off her feet and leads to the best rally of the match thus far, with a nice mix of power and slices. Serena ends up sending it long and then sends another one long to give the game away … or not! Our technology shows us that maybe 1/4 of the ball caught the baseline. Deuce, and then a double fault.
And that has rattled Kovinić, who double faults again and puts out her hands in exasperation. Serena breaks back, and you have to say that was a little lucky.
Williams 2-3 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
The serve looks better early on in this game, but yet another double fault puts Kovinić up 15-30.
Serena gets the better of the next rally but again misses her first serve, and Kovinić tees off on the second serve to win a short rally and earn yet another break point.
Then it gets better for Serena. She unleashes a cannon that Kovinić can barely touch, forcing deuce. Then it’s an ace right down the center line.
Once again, though, Kovinić looks solid on Serena’s second serve, and she’s seeing a lot of them. This time, a perfectly placed drop shot gets us back to deuce. On the next point, Serena comes to the net but volleys poorly. Another break point.
And then an unforced error. Break.
This is not going according to script.
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas is down 0-6, 0-5.
*Williams 2-2 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
The crowd is eerily quiet as Kovinić goes up 40-15. A nifty cross-court shot from Serena wakes everyone up, but Serena dumps one into the net in the next rally, and Kovinić holds.
The celebrity-spotting is getting strange. Bill Clinton – yes, the former president – is sitting with Dr. Ruth – yes, the sex therapist. Martina Navratilova is sitting with Mike Tyson and her dog.
How many other events could give us Mike Tyson sitting next to Martina Navratilova (and her dog)? pic.twitter.com/hGoqmFT71v
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 29, 2022
Williams 2-1 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
Serena’s serve isn’t quite there, and Kovinić is more than capable of punishing a second serve. A blazing winner makes it 30-30. Kovinić forces Serena into a bad spot in the next rally and goes up 30-40. But an unforced error takes it to deuce.
And again, Serena has trouble with that serve. A double fault sets up another break point, and Kovinić hangs in to convert this time.
Serena has as many double faults (4) as first serves. She’s 4-for-15 on first serves. She has won all four of those points. Other than that, she’s 4-for-11.
*Williams 2-0 Kovinić (* denotes next server)
The Montenegrin challenger rips a nice forehand winner, then continues the parade of double faults. An unforced error makes it 15-30, she finds her serve to go up 40-30. Serena fights back with a drop shot nearly as elegant as her outfit.
After winning another point, a wild rally wraps up the set. Serena scrambles forward to get to a ball that dropped off the net cord, then adeptly returns both a hard drive and a lob to get the break.
Williams 1-0 Kovinić* (* denotes next server)
Serena sheds her jacket, which surely costs more than the entire wardrobe of a typical journalist, and gets to work. Her first serve looks solid, but Kovinić returns well and forces a brief baseline rally before losing the point.
But then the nerves or the rust catch up. Serena double faults once, sending one wide and one into the net. After a third straight fault, she exhales deeply but doubles again. A fifth straight fault follows. The next one gets in, but Serena fires wide after a short rally to give Kovinić two break points.
And then the actual Serena Williams shows up. A strong rally makes it 30-40. Then an ace. Then another.
She gets a little lucky on the last point, with a shot nicking the top of the net cord and Kovinić missing a golden opportunity to get the game back to deuce, dropping her return into the net.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan has taken the first set 6-0 against fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who tied a nice bow on the occasion with a double fault.
Serena wins!
… the coin toss. She’ll serve first.
Serena is finally on the court. We think Danka Kovinić is there as well.
Ah, there we go.
The Biggest Coin Toss in the History of Tennis is taking place now. Or at least the only one with Spike Lee present.
“Is this the biggest first round match we’ve ever seen on this court?” asks Chris Hockman on Twitter?
It’s surely the only one that has been preceded by a Ukrainian choir singing in two languages to honor Arthur Ashe.
I’d gripe more about the fact that we’ve yet to see Serena on the court, but this is an enthralling performance. The crowd, rather than murmuring and waiting for the star of the evening, provides a nice roar before they wrap up.
In typical American sports fashion, the match is actually not starting at 7 p.m. ET because we have to hype things a bit more. Fans are still filing in as well – Arthur Ashe Stadium is only half-full. Serena’s matches often don’t last very long, so please tell people to get their ice cream later.
Speaking of ice cream, it’s 81 degrees Fahrenheit with 68% humidity. But Serena, ever the fashion icon, will be wearing a long-sleeved black outfit. For the shoes, we make a first-ever citation of Footwear News. She won’t be wearing diamonds on the soles of her shoes, which would fit the song by New Yorker Paul Simon, but she will be wearing them elsewhere on her feet.
We’re now getting player introductions. Will this start before dark?
Who's the opponent?
Danka Kovinić hails from Montenegro. She’s 27 years old. She’s ranked 80th in the world, down from a career-high of 46th … six years ago. She has no career singles titles. But this is her best year in the majors, reaching the third round in Australia and at Roland Garros.
The strangest thing – despite her many years as a pro, she has never faced Serena Williams.
The venue
This court could not be more appropriate for a pioneer like Serena. It’s Arthur Ashe Court, named after a barrier-breaking Black tennis player, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, named after the woman who launched women’s tennis to new heights.
Serena has won this event six times. She has 23 major titles. That’s one short of the record held by Margaret Court, but any consideration that Court is ahead of Serena in the GOAT (Greatest of all Tennis, er, Time) conversation can’t be taken seriously. Serena (we’ll use the first name in part because she, like Madonna or Cher, is recognized best by that name and also because her sister, Venus Williams, is also in the stratosphere of the sport’s all-time best) has spent a couple of decades simply running people off the court.
And yet … this championship has eluded her since she won her third straight in 2014. She melted down in 2018 against then-unheralded Naomi Osaka. She lost the next year to Bianca Andreescu.
But great players have a way of putting together one more great run. Will this be it?
Good evening to all in the US, good morning to those on the other side of the globe, and good afternoon to those in between.
Thanks for checking in for the all-US matchup between 10th-seeded Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt. Fritz should have the edge, of course, but … what? Oh, right.
Pity Fritz, Holt and fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, all of whom will be playing on the showcase courts at the US Open in a few minutes but might as well be playing in Guam. This is the Serena Williams show, with good reason. Every match here could be the last time we see a one-of-a-kind player on her biggest stage.
Beau will be here shortly, with the match due to start around 7.30pm local time (9.30am AEST/12.30am BST). Meanwhile, here’s a bit of pre-match reading:
Does tennis’s queen of comebacks have one more left? Even though Serena Williams may be ready to say her goodbyes at this year’s US Open, anyone who’s been watching her this long would be a fool to count her out altogether
Serena Williams’ unapologetic greatness is a beacon to Black girls everywhere. Serena showed Black girls like my daughters that they have to be confident and proud of themselves, says NBA veteran Etan Thomas
Farewell is an eloquent acknowledgement of biological inequality. Williams’s career is ending before it would if she were a male player, simply because she must choose between tennis and having more children, says Andy Bull.
They couldn’t touch her: how Serena Williams became a rare legend. Prejudice and hostility stalked her through a career of scarcely believable achievement, one that reflected much about the US
