Serena repays adoring crowd

– Serena Williams (above) took the first cautious step towards a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 6-0 first-round win over Magda Linette on Monday as an excited US Open crowd welcomed the new tennis mother back to the “Big Apple”.

It was not the imposing performance many have come to expect from Williams as the six-time champion continued to scrape the rust off her game following the birth of her first child.

The manner of the victory, however, mattered little to a home crowd that was just happy to see her back on court after sitting out last year.

“It is such a great feeling to be back out here,” said Williams. “It is one of those feeling I only get here in New York.”

The Williams sisters bridged the afternoon and evening sessions on a steamy Arthur Ashe with Venus providing the opening act of the twin bill, grinding out a 6-3 5-7 6-3 victory over another former champion, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, before handing the stage over to her younger sibling.

The wins put the sisters on a collision course, leaving them just one victory away from a thirdround showdown.

While Venus remains a potential obstacle standing in the way of a 24th Grand Slam, Serena’s path to the final was cleared of another hurdle earlier on Monday when world No 1 Simona Halep was upset by Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi.

“There’s still several matches to play before you’re there,” said Williams about a possible meeting with her sister. “I’m just going to be on that road till I get there.” – AFP