Serena Williams Beats No. 2 Seed In U.S. Open Second-Round Stunner—Keeping Career Alive

Topline

Tennis legend Serena Williams advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open after pulling off a major upset Wednesday night, topping No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit and fueling dreams that she might finish her career as a tournament champion.

Key Facts

Williams beat the Estonian Kontaveit in three sets: 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.

Williams faces Australian Ajla Tomljanović in a third round matchup Friday.

The win comes two days after Williams convincingly won her first round match against Montenegrin Danka Kovinić in straight sets.

Williams needs to win five more matches to capture the U.S. Open title.

Crucial Quote

“There’s still a little left in me,” Williams said in a post-match interview. “This is what I do best. I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge.”

Key Background

Williams, 40, indicated in a Vogue essay published August 9 that the U.S. Open will be the final tournament of her nearly 26-year professional career, which has been one of the most decorated of any individual in sports history. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles during her career, starting with the 1999 U.S. Open, which she won as a 17-year-old. The 23 titles are the most in the Open Era, which began in 1968, and second-most of all-time behind Australian Margaret Court, who won 24 Grand Slam events. Williams said in her essay that she plans an “evolution” away from the tennis court after the U.S. Open, stating “I have never liked the word retirement.” Williams’ U.S. Open run has attracted attention far beyond the typical tennis viewing audience, with figures like former President Bill Clinton, actress Queen Latifah and filmmaker Spike Lee in attendance for her first round win.

What To Watch For

Williams is scheduled to play a U.S. Open doubles match with her sister, Venus, on Thursday night.

Forbes Valuation

We estimate Williams to be worth $260 million, placing her 90th on the 2022 “America’s Self-Made Women” list.

Further Reading

Serena Williams Says Farewell to Tennis On Her Own Terms—And In Her Own Words (Vogue)

Serena Williams Heads Into Retirement As A Tennis Icon — And One Of America’s Richest Self-Made Women (Forbes)