By Erik Gudris | Friday, September 4, 2015
Serena Williams once again needed three sets, but got the job done versus Bethanie Mattek-Sands at the US Open.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
"I'm not trying to live on the edge."
That's what World No. 1 Serena Williams said, with a smile, after getting through yet another roller coaster three set match this season. This one in the third round of the US Open against fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Now Williams finds herself another win closer to a possible calendar year Grand Slam.
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Yet, a combination of Williams' own nerves and aggressive tactics from Mattek-Sands, made things difficult for the defending champion throughout most of the match.
Mattek-Sands, who entered this year's US Open as a wildcard, used smart returning and frequent forays up to the net to keep Williams off-balance early. With points often lasting no more than three shots, Mattek-Sands jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
Williams recovered for 3-2 and seemed ready to pull even with her fellow Fed Cup teammate. But Mattek-Sands would break Williams again and then served out the set 6-3.
The second set proved all about Williams, for better and worse. Though she immediately starting serving better, she was unable to capitalize on multiple break point chances. Twice, Williams opened up 15-40 leads on her opponent, only to have her chances evaporate as Mattek-Sands refused to go away.
Williams would finally get her break after Mattek-Sands sent a forehand wide. With a massive yell of "Come on!" Williams soon found herself serving for the set at 5-3. But two double faults from Williams allowed Mattek-Sands to break right back. A once again confident looking Mattek-Sands leveled the set at 5-all and was two games from the improbable upset.
Williams found her big serve again when she needed it and held for 6-5. Now, trying to avoid a tiebreak, Williams ripped two big returns that led to her holding three set points. On the third one, Mattek-Sands sent a backhand wide giving Williams the set 7-5.
With Williams now feeling more relaxed and serving with more ease, there was little Mattek-Sands could do to stop the change in momentum. Feeling the pressure, Mattek-Sands double-faulted down 15-40 to give Williams a 2-0 lead.
From there, Williams put on a show for the New York crowd as she refused to lose another game. The set soon became a shotmaking exhibition for Williams that included a running around the post backhand winner. At 4-0, Williams hit a looping forehand pass winner then did the splits with a double fist pump to celebrate.
Now leading 5-0, Williams took control in the final Mattek-Sands service game. Holding three match points, Williams missed out on the first two chances, but then smashed a winner up at net on the final point to seal the comeback 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 win.
Afterwards Mattek-Sands said she left all on the court in trying to win. But up at the net, she wished her friend Serena good luck in her quest.
"I said I'll be cheering for her. Obviously I know she's going for the record. I thought she was playing awesome. I mean, I like Serena a lot. We're friends off the court, and I think she's not only a great competitor but a good person. I just wished her the best of luck."
Williams is now 8-0 at the majors this year when having dropped the first set. She also holds a 17-1 overall three set record this year.
"I think Bethanie played really well," Williams said about her struggles in the first set to Pam Shriver of ESPN. But I finally got some rhythm going in the second set."
When asked about missing out on so many break point chances, (Serena was 6 of 21), she said, "I said Serena just keep going. Here's another one. Keep trying."
Williams will next play Madison Keys in the next round. The No. 19 seed Keys beat No. 15 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-2.