(Reuters) – Serena Williams begins what is expected to be her final U.S. Open with a match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic but things could get tough quickly for the 23-times Grand Slam champion with second seed Anett Kontaveit possibly awaiting the winner.
The U.S. Open draw released on Thursday did Williams no favours, the 40-year-old American landing in the bottom quarter where fifth-seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur, the Wimbledon runner-up, 10th-seeded Russian Daria Kasatkina and last year’s losing finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada all lurk.
Williams signalled her intention to retire this month, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” but never confirming the U.S. Open as her final event.
The tennis world, however, is preparing a massive retirement party at Flushing Meadows with fans hoping it will be a long one.
Williams starts her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title against a player she has never faced before.
But the six-times U.S. Open winner will be wary of the 80th-ranked Kovinic, who has enjoyed her best career Grand Slam results this year having reached the third round at the Australian and French Opens.
(This story corrects Kovinic ranking in final para)
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto, Editing by Ed Osmond)
