Serena looks sharp in milestone win

NEWYORK — So about that inflamed right shoulder that was supposed to hinder Serena Williams at theU.S. Open as she seeks a record 23rd major title: It sure seems to be just fine.

“Definitely feels solid,” Williams said.

Not sure? There’s plenty of evidence. Noneed to take her word — or her coach’s — for it.

Lookat thewayWilliams beat 47th-ranked Johanna Larsson 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday to reach the fourth round at FlushingMeadowsand collect the 307th Grand Slam match victory of her career, surpassing Martina Navratilova for most by a woman in the Open era and equaling Roger Federer for most by anyone since 1968.

Williams reached 121 mph on a serve. She had a half-dozen aces, bringing her total thisweek to 31. She faced only one break point — her first of the tournament — and saved it. She smacked seven return winners. She compiled a 24-5 total edge in winners.

“Tennis-wise, itwas very satisfying in all aspects. It’s not perfect, of course,” said her coach, Mouratoglou. someone who much matches two months, I competitive.”

Now there’s

“There is no pain,” Mouratoglou said. “I know it’s under control now.”

Two past men’s champions, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro, moved into the fourth round.

Murray, who won the 2012 U.S. Open, had trouble in each of the first two sets, but eventually took control for a 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Paolo Lorenzi.

Del Potro’s resurgence continued with a 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 11 David Ferrer. The 2009 champion in New York missed 21⁄ years’ worth of major tournaments because of three operations on his left wrist, and he’s ranked only 142nd, which is why he needed a wild-card invitation to get into the field.

But del Potro showed that he’s back after beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and won a silver medal for Argentina at the Rio Olympics. Patrick “But for didn’t play in the last think she’s

an

understatement.