Narrator Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[17] Serena Williams -26- (USA) def Kaia Kanepi -44- (EST) | 60 46 63
It took Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 18-minutes to warm-up for Sunday’s Round of 16 match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Unfortunately for Kaia, that’s all 6-time US Open Champion (1999 | 2002 | 2008 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014) Serena Williams needed to take the first set.
On Monday, Kanepi took-out the top-seed and World #1 Simona Halep. Today, she won only 6-points in set-1. It happens.
Thankfully, Kaia snapped out of it. She broke to start the second, then again to go up 5-2. Though she couldn’t serve-it-out on her first-go, 2-games later she forced the decider.
In the third, Serena was up a break at the first changeover and held the rest of the way. On Tuesday, Williams will get another shot at Karolina Pliskova – who ousted both Venus and Serena to reach the 2016 US Open Final.
NEXT: [17] Serena Williams -26- (USA) vs [8] Karolina Pliskova -08- (CZE)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def Kaia Kanepi -44- (EST) 60 46 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Venus Williams -16- (USA) 61 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Carina Witthöft -101- (GER) 62 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Magda Linette -68- (POL) 64 60 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
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[17] Serena Williams -26- (USA)
In 1999, at just 17-years-old, she won her first Grand Slam Singles title right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating World #1 Martina Hingis in straight-sets. 19-years later, she owns the career Grand Slam with a record-shattering 23 Grand Slam Singles titles overall – the most of any player in the Open Era. Include her doubles success with sister Venus – plus two Mixed Doubles titles – and she is a 39-time Grand Slam Champion. The sport’s top-ranked player for an astounding 319-weeks – she owns 72 WTA Single titles, 4 Olympic Gold Medals, is a Fed Cup Champion; and last September – became a Mom for the first time. (Hold for applause) From Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – Please welcome 6-time US Open Champion…Serena Williams.
Kaia Kanepi -44- (EST)
On Monday, she defeated the top-seed Simona Halep in the opening round, earning her second career victory over a World #1. She owns 4 WTA Singles titles, is an 8-time Finalist on Tour, and last year in New York – as a qualifier ranked outside the top-400 – reached the Quarterfinals of a Major for the sixth time. A member of her country’s Olympic and Fed Cup Teams, she’s been ranked as high as #15 in the World, and is the most successful player in Estonia’s history. Competing in her 11th US Open, From Estonia – Please welcome…Kaia Kanepi.
