Serena Williams of the United States celebrates her victory over Ekaterina Makarova of Russia during her first round Women's Singles match on Day Two of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2016 in the Flushin (Photo : Getty Images/ Mike Hewitt)
Serena Williams and Steffi Graf both ties for most Grand Slam titles in the Open era, on Thursday night, Williams equaled another legend for most match wins by a female player at the ongoing major tournaments.
The world No 1 started her US Open campaign in an impressive way on the court where her bid for a historic Calendar Grand Slam ended with an upset semi-final defeat.
According to USA Today, in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over fellow American Vania King, Williams was strong, if not her best, earning her 306th career win at a Grand Slam. With the win, Williams moved to 306-42.
On the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams needed just 63 minutes to claim another victory over Russian Ekaterina Makarova. Makarova, the world No 29 who had been reckoned to stage a tough opening test but the American was far too strong with a classy performance.
Williams said: "I feel like I made many of mistakes." She appeared frustrated at times in the match. "What really matters is I made it and I am hopeful to just get better," she added.
After the tough tackle with Makarova, William said she knew she needed to be focused because she has played her. She also added that Makarova had gotten to the semi-finals [before] and she goes deep in majors, Daily Mail reported.
The No. 1 and six-time U.S. Open champion said that her shoulder, which had forced her out of Cincinnati two weeks ago was stable and she just got to keep it like that.
Williams, who turns 35 on Sept. 26, is bidding for yet more history here this year.
On Saturday, Williams will look to go one better, as she marches near that 23rd career Grand Slam, which would give her individual ownership of the most major titles in the Open era.
Should she win on Saturday, Williams would join the one and only Roger Federer at 307 career wins at a major.
Williams hit 38 winners against King, including 13 aces, as Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z looked on from Serena's player box.
Williams is on equal footing with Chris Evert, Navratilova's greatest rival, at six U.S. Open titles, though Evert boasts of the most all-time wins at Flushing Meadows, going 101-12 lifetime.
Williams moves to 86-10 at the U.S. Open with her win over King.
Here is a video of Serena Williams at the 2016 U.S. Open:
