Reuters
New York, Sept 3: The Serena Williams show continued at the US Open as the World No. 1 moved a step closer to a calendar Grand Slam Wednesday.
Williams continued her quest with an error-strewn 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory over Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.
The 110th-ranked Bertens put up a valiant fight and had Williams, who struggled with her serve firing 10 double faults, on the ropes in the opening set.
However, the 33-year-old American’s class shone through in the second set as she broke Bertens three-times to seal her 23rd consecutive US Open victory.
“I never stop. I keep going and give the best effort that I can,” Williams said after raising her 2015 match record to 50-2.
Williams was joined in the third round by sister Venus who outlasted Irina Falconi 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2 to set up an intriguing clash with Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic.
Bencic survived a second set meltdown that left her sobbing and a determined Misaki Doi of Japan to claim a nervy 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory.
“I think we all have not-so-good days,” said Bencic. “I know I shouldn’t have behaved like that.”
Canadian 25th seed Eugenie Bouchard advanced over Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, to reach round three. She had not won back-to-back matches since March.
“She was tough getting balls back but I held my nerve at the end which I thought was the key to the match,” Bouchard said. “I’m excited to win two matches in a row.”
While Agnieszka Radwanska dispatched Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2 and Dominika Cibulkova defeated Jessica Pegula 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.