Serena’s mental game given top marks

Even with her powerful serve and formidable physical gifts, Serena Williams is getting the most praise from fellow US Open players for her mental toughness and confidence when facing adversity.

World No 1 Williams is trying to complete the first calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988 by winning the US Open for a 22nd Slam singles crown to match Graf ’s Open Era record, two shy of Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record.

“She’s just a beast,” said American Donald Young, who won Saturday to reach the fourth round.

“I think she turns it on whenever she wants to. It’s tough. It’s a lot of pressure. The way she’s handling it is like a true champion.”

Williams struggled early in her past two matches, even dropping the first set against Bethanie Mattek-Sands before rallying to win the last eight games and advance to Sunday’s fourth-round meeting with US 19th seed Madison Keys.

“Serena is inspiration for everyone who is on the tour, for sure. She’s kind of big champion,” said Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova.

“We know how big a fighter she is. We need to be fighters in the tennis world as well. People playing her, they really know that if they win a set it’s not the end. She always lifts her level higher.”

Williams has been pushed to three sets 10 times in 24 Slam matches this year and won them all, eight of them after she dropped the first set.

“I have nothing but admiration for her,” Young said. “She’s just an awesome player. She can come back. She has done it so many times in her career. She has been there. Once you know what it feels like, you can repeat it.”