Serena Williams begins US Open with a convincing singles win
Serena Williams began her US Open season with an impressive showing when she defeated American Christina McHale in straight sets in the first round. The 33 year-old, looking sharp on her day, is now into the second week in a row on the circuit and she could be in for a fight with Venus Williams for the final court spot on the US Open 2015 draw.
The first round was not at all pretty for Williams however, losing 6-2, 6-2 in an incredible match and in a few hours she was in danger of being banned from tennis for two years. Williams, who said afterwards that she couldn’t be more tired, played the first set at a quick, attacking pace. The second was a little more subdued, though still not the prettiest of service games. After a service game Williams had her serve in the middle of the net, where it remained for the rest of the game. After seven games Williams broke, but then seemed unable to convert. Williams made a double-fault and then double-faulted again – this time making the ball skip across the net. Williams seemed content to let it bounce out of the court and then double-faulted again. Then Williams made a beautiful cross-court lob, which went back into the net. Williams then did something that tennis fans had never seen her attempt before: she went up and down the court, trying to get to the net, then going back to the middle of the court and then going back to the net. Then she returned to the middle of the court with the ball again and made another cross-court lob. The ball then sailed over the net and into McHale’s court. In the next game, Williams took a 1-0 lead, breaking again then breaking again. Williams made another double-fault and then the ball ended up in McHale’s court. She took it and began a running forehand return drive that ended with another cross-court lob over