Serena now leads Sharapova 20-2 in head-to-heads and admits ‘she brings out the best in me’

Serena Williams was not about to let Maria Sharapova make a match of it. So, facing a break point early in the second set, Williams conjured up a backhand passing shot so good, so powerful, so precise, that Sharapova had no chance to reach it. Williams watched the ball land, then raised a clenched left skywards.

In her first match at the US Open since last year’s loss in a chaotic, controversial final, Williams stretched her winning streak against Sharapova to 19 matches with a nearly flawless performance that produced a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Asked if she could even imagine losing so many matches in a row across 15 years against one opponent, Williams paused, then replied: “Gosh, I never thought about it like that.”

She now leads their head-tohead series 20-2. “Every time I come up against her,” Williams said, “I just bring out some of my best tennis.” She certainly did this time; the whole thing lasted 59 minutes. Williams won twice as many points, 56-28. She saved all five break points she faced and lashed serves at up to 115 mph. She broke five times.

“I always said her ball somehow lands in my strike zone,” Williams said. “I don’t know. It’s just perfect for me.”

Williams arrived at Flushing Meadows having experienced back spasms this month, but this didn’t seem to be an issue against Sharapova.

“The body’s good. I feel good,” Williams said. “My back’s a lot better. So I’m excited. This is going to be fun.”

Last year, she was beaten by Naomi Osaka in straight sets in a US Open final which descended into chaos after a back-and-forth between Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

“When asked what she thought of the US Tennis Association’s decision that Ramos would not officiate any match involving either her or her older sister, Venus, at this year’s tournament, she replied: “I don’t know who that is.”