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Serena Williams has always had a flair for the dramatic.
And as she stood on the iconic green-and-blue surface at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams showed as much.
She turned back the clock on Monday night, showing off the fiery serve, fluid footwork and electric energy that has served her so well throughout her glimmering career. Williams looked every bit like the 23-time major champion she is in the first round of the 2022 US Open, putting on a dominant display en route to a straight sets victory over Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.
Serena Williams will face World No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in the 2nd round of the US Open.
Her 47 wins over WTA Top-2 players are the most by any woman since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975.
Serena has won 22 of her last 24 matches vs WTA Top-2 players dating back to 2007. pic.twitter.com/ylMXOgytMq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 30, 2022
Williams looked poised to impress from the opening salvo. She came to the court dressed to the nines, rocking a diamond-encrusted black dress with matching shoes. On the tongues of her sneakers were the words “Queen Mama.”
Serena Williams unboxes her Nikes with custom “Queen Mama” and “SW” diamond lace locks ahead of the US Open.
“I’ve never worn better shoes for the Open,” she says. pic.twitter.com/xx1mSyvBDV
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 29, 2022
Williams got off to a fast start, taking the first two games of her first set. And despite a few wobbles here and there, Williams found her rhythm deep in the action. She snapped a shot right on the edge of the baseline midway through the set, turning the period — and match — on its head.
And after a dominant 6-3 victory in Set 1, Williams repeated the feat in Set 2, employing a delightful mix of deft drop shots, rapid returns and more to vanquish Kovinic and advance to the second round of the US Open.
MORE: Why is Serena Williams wearing black tape on her face?
Williams will take on Estonian Annett Kontaveit in the second round. Kontaveit, the No. 2 player in the world, will certainly make for a difficult challenge for Williams.
MORE: Watch Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open with fuboTV (free trial)
But the fans will be on the GOAT’s side. And fueled by her improved mobility — as well as that legendary serve — perhaps Williams can add another magical moment to her collection of them at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the first-round match between Serena Williams and Danka Kovinic at the 2022 US Open. Below are the complete results from Monday’s match.
Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic score
Player | 1 | 2 |
---|---|---|
Serena Williams | 6 | 6 |
Danka Kovinic | 3 | 3 |
Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic live updates, highlights from US Open 2022
(All times Eastern)
9:13 p.m.: Serena wins! 6-3, 6-3. Wonderful display by Williams, who appeared to turn back the clock after a few wobbly moments early. She’ll return to the court on Wednesday.
9:12 p.m.: Triple match point for Serena! This could be it!
9:09 p.m.: Serena is cooking with gas! The serve looks fearsome, the movement is fluid and the energy is there. Williams is looking as good as she has in years.
One game away from grabbing a momentous match victory.
9:06 p.m.: Kovinic pulls back to within a game in Set No. 2.
9:02 p.m.: Williams grabs another game! That’s her third straight! Looking like a vintage Williams performance at the moment.
8:59 p.m.: Williams is really starting to pick up the pace in this second set. Notched back-to-back games to snatch the lead back from Kovinic.
8:48 p.m.: Kovinic grabs the game! It was an enthralling affair, full of all sorts of spills and thrills. But Kovinic showed a little more composure late and now leads Set No. 2, 2-1.
8:42 p.m.: Williams breezes past Kovinic to take the second game of the set. That’s how it’s done, Serena.
8:38 p.m.: Kovinic claims her first victory in four games after Williams hits the net with a return for Kovinic’s drop shot.
8:35 p.m.: Wonderful bout of action between Williams and Kovinic. A 15-ball rally that featured a delicate drop shot by Williams and a pair of thunderous Kovinic returns. Kovinic takes the point after fizzing a forehanded shot beyond Williams’ grasp. Williams responds with a clap.
8:29 p.m.: Williams is decked out in some of the best drip money could buy. She’s rocking diamond-encrusted Nikes that perfectly match her bedazzled all-outfit.
Serena Williams unboxes her Nikes with custom “Queen Mama” and “SW” diamond lace locks ahead of the US Open.
“I’ve never worn better shoes for the Open,” she says. pic.twitter.com/xx1mSyvBDV
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 29, 2022
A dress that is fit for a queen.
8:27 p.m.: Set point for Williams and she flashes that fiery serve! Kovinic not able to handle the heat and Williams takes the first set!
8:17 p.m.: Serena takes yet another game! Kovinic struggling to deal with Williams’ experience at the moment. Serena on the brink of a set victory to start her swan song.
8:11 p.m.: Williams got a 40-15 edge in the sixth game of the set and began to look revitalized. However, a few mistakes allowed Kovinic to get it back to 40-even.
Then, Williams placed a perfect return that danced on the edge of the baseline. Changed the course of the entire game, helping Williams level the set score at 3.
Williams followed that up by taking four straight points to bag a second-straight game shortly thereafter. She seems to be building momentum.
8:01 p.m.: Kovinic takes game 5, as well. She’s really found her form since dropping the first two games, moving around the court rhythmically and taking advantage of Williams’ nerves.
7:55 p.m.: Kovinic levels the score of the first set at 2. She’s showing a lot of aggression on the baseline and it’s proving effective so far. Williams still looks a little rattled at the moment and Kovinic is capitalizing.
7:50 p.m.: Kovinic takes the third game of the set. Williams’ serve has looked a bit shaky early, but her return has been there so far. Lots of match to go, however.
7:44 p.m.: What a display by Serena so far! Pulled up to the net to deny Kovinic then flashed a strike to take Game No. 2. Williams is looking as good as she has. in some time so far.
7:42 p.m.: Williams with a slick bit of play to knot game two at 40-all. She strut to the right to meet Kovinic’s shot then dropped an impressive shot to freeze her opponent. Moving really fluidly early.
7:37 p.m.: Williams takes the first game of the match. After a few wobbles in the opening frame, Williams got it together, overcoming a 40-15 deficit to take the 1-0 lead.
7:32 p.m.: Serena gets the opening point of the game after Kovinic’s rally goes beyond the backcourt line!
7:23 p.m.: Serena Williams gets a raucous applause as she walks out to center court! Kanye West’s “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” is playing in the background and the atmosphere is electric!
How to watch Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic at US Open 2022
- TV channel: ESPN (U.S.) | TSN1 (Canada)
- Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN3, fuboTV
ESPN will provide coverage of the Williams-Kovinic opening-round match. The clash will also be live streamed on ESPN+, ESPN3 and fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Canadian viewers can watch the match on TSN1 or live stream with TSN.ca and the TSN app.
What time does Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic start?
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Serena Williams’ match vs. Danka Kovinic is expected to start at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 29.
The match will be played on center court underneath the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It’s a setting Williams is more than familiar with.
2022 US Open TV schedule
Date | Time (ET) | U.S. TV channel | Canada TV channel |
Mon., Aug. 29 | 11 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 |
Noon | ESPN | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5 | |
Tue., Aug. 30 | 11 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN2/TSN3/TSN4 |
Noon | ESPN | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN2 | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 | |
ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 | ||
Wed., Aug. 31 | 11 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 |
Noon | ESPN | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5 | |
Thu., Sept. 1 | 11 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN5 |
Noon | ESPN | ||
6 p.m. | ESPN2 | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5 | |
Fri., Sept. 2 | 11 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 |
Noon | ESPN | ||
6 p.m. | ESPN2 | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN3 | |
Sat., Sept. 3 | 11 a.m. | ESPN2 | TSN1/TSN3 |
11:15 a.m. | ESPN Deportes | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN2 | TSN1/TSN3/TSN4 | |
Sun., Sept. 4 | 11 a.m. | ESPN | TSN2/TSN3/TSN4 |
Noon | ESPN Deportes | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN2 | TSN2/TSN3 | |
Mon., Sept. 5 | 11 a.m. | ESPN | TSN2/TSN3/TSN5 |
Noon | ESPN Deportes | ||
7 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | TSN2/TSN3/TSSN5 | |
Tue., Sept. 6 | Noon | ESPN | TSN1/TSN4/TSN5 |
7 p.m. | TSN1/TSN4/TSN5 | ||
Wed., Sept. 7 | Noon | ESPN,
ESPN Deportes |
TSN 1/TSN4/TSN5 |
7 p.m. | TSN/TSN4/TSN5 | ||
Thu. Sept. 8 | 7 p.m. (women’s semifinals) | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | TSN5 |
Fri., Sept. 9 | Noon (men’s doubles championship) | ESPN2 | TSN3/4 |
3 p.m. (men’s semifinals) | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | TSN3/TSN4 | |
7 p.m. (men’s semifinals) | |||
Sat., Sept. 10 | 4 p.m. (women’s championship) | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN4 |
Sun., Sept. 11 | 1 p.m. (women’s doubles championship) | ESPN | TSN1/TSN4 |
4 p.m. (men’s championship) | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | TSN1/TSN4 |