New York: Serena Williams turned her 30th career meeting with her sister Venus into a one-woman showcase, reaching the US Open fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2 victory here, Friday.
Reluctantly rising to an occasion neither sister enjoys, Serena said she played her best match since she returned in March, more than six months after giving birth to daughter Olympia last September.
“I played much better tonight (Friday) than I have since I started this journey on my way back,” said Serena, although she wasn’t sure she’d agree with Venus’s assessment that it was the best match she’d ever played against her sister.
The scoreline equalled Serena’s most lopsided victory over Venus, and took her head-to-head record against her sister to 18-12. “She played so well, I never got to really even touch any balls,” Venus pointed out.
The most dramatic moment of the contest came when Serena rolled her right ankle in the second game. She took a medical timeout at the next changeover to have more tape added the bandage she was already wearing under her sock.
When Serena sealed the match with a forehand winner, the sisters met at the net for a hug, then walked to their chairs before Serena acknowledged the crowd with a wave.
Serena will try to take the next step when she takes on Kaia Kanepi for a place in the quarterfinals. The Estonian, who toppled World No.1 Simona Halep in the first round, defeated Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 7-6(7/3).
Defending champion Sloane Stephens, at No.3 the highest seed left in the draw booked her fourth round berth with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
