Serena Williams rallies against Bethanie Mattek-Sands to stay on track for grand slam at US Open
A tested Serena Williams battled through her own mistakes and the tension of her quest for tennis history Friday to reach the US Open fourth round.
The 33-year-old American fought back to defeat 101st-ranked compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and needs only four more triumphs to complete the first calendar slam since Steffi Graf in 1988.
I’m not trying to live on the edge. I don’t think I came out too slow. I think Bethanie came out really well
Williams struggled with her serve early and made half her 28 unforced errors in the first set, but found her form late in the second set and dominated from there.
“I’m not trying to live on the edge,” Williams said.
“I don’t think I came out too slow. I think Bethanie came out really well. I had to adapt to her game and I finally got some rhythm going toward the end of the second set.”
Williams, holder of all four major titles, also seeks her 22nd career slam singles crown to match Graf’s Open Era record and move two shy of Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark.
