You can read a match report from tonight’s match here:
Updated
Signing off
That’s all for now. Thanks for following along with us and do be sure to check back over the weekend as Serena Williams continues her march to history.
When your splits game is on fleek and you know it. pic.twitter.com/4l2426AKDM
— WTA Reactions (@WTAreactions) September 5, 2015
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More from Serena
Serena, sitting down on ESPN’s studio set just outside Arthur Ashe Stadium, says it was difficult to find her rhythm, that she knew she had plenty of opportunities during the second set to potentially have a massive lead and that gave her confidence. Adds that she doesn’t believe the brinksmanship that’s seemed to become a habit will catch up with her. When asked about the pressure that’s mounting, she says that she doesn’t look at it as “four matches to go” but that she’s guaranteed only one match and keeps her focus on that one.
That one, of course, is a fourth-rounder on Sunday against the rising American star Madison Keys, who demolished Aga Radwanska in straight sets on Grandstand. “She has a really big game and she’s really good,” Williams says. “She’s on a roll right now and she’s playing really well and with a lot of confidence.”
Serena speaks
“She’s a great player,” Williams says during her on-court interview with ESPN’s Pam Shriver. “She’s fought through so many difficult injuries. I admire her for all that she’s been through. She’s always so positive. It was a really good match for her today as well.”
When asked about the sluggish star, Serena again deflects credit to her Fed Cup team-mate.
“I don’t think I came out too slow today,” the 21-times grand slam champion says. “I think Bethanie played really well. I had to adapt to her game.”
Williams breaks, wins third set and match!
Third set: Williams 6-0 Mattek-Sands
Winner. Winner. Mattek-Sands overcooked forehand. Three match points for Williams. She saves the first two, but Williams comes through on the third, capping it with an emphatic overhand smash, and the match is over: Williams is through to the last 16 and moves within four wins of a grand slam.
Third set: Williams 5-0 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
The Williams landslide surges forward and there’s little Mattek-Sands, game as she is, can do to stop it. You are witnessing the greatest siege mentality in the history of sports. Or more likely reading about it. Unless you’re one of those “second-screeners” but that’s neither here nor there. Anyway Williams punctuates a comfortable hold with a 106mph ace and she’s on the verge of bageling an opponent who’d had her looking flummoxed just an hour ago. Just brilliant.
Williams breaks!
Third set: *Williams 4-0 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, Williams attacks the net and crushes a winner. Then Mattek-Sands misfires a forehand to fall behind 15-40 and Serena will have two more break-point chances. She needs only one. On a point where Mattek-Sands looks like she’s had it won, Williams manages to return a volley with a deft angled shot for a winner. Another break. Feels like curtains.
Third set: Williams 3-0 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
A series of tight points early as Mattek-Sands fights to 30-30, but then Williams misfires badly at the net and Bethanie will have a break-point chance. (She’s 3-for-3 on them so far tonight.) Serena saves it with an ace, then rattles off a pair of quick points to consolidate the break. Mattek-Sands running out of time here.
Williams breaks!
Third set: *Williams 2-0 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
An unreturned serve by Mattek-Sands, but Williams responds with a backhand winner across the court. Now another powerful return by Williams that Mattek-Sands can’t get back over. Another forced error and Bethanie finds herself once again in a 15-40 hole. Two more break-point chances for Williams. It’s early in this set but this feels positively decisive. And she mixes in a double fault. That’s a break. Serena has won 14 of the last 18 points.
Third set: Williams 1-0 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Serve and volley by Williams, who puts it away with a smash at the net. Two more points at the net and Serena stretches it to 40-love, then a meek return by Mattek-Sands on game point that Williams easily deposits into the open court. Comfortable love hold. Can Mattek-Sands answer?
Williams breaks and wins second set!
Second set: Williams 7-5 Mattek-Sands
And just like that: the Serena these fans know and love. Three straight points to move ahead love-40 and get three looks at a set point. She nets the first, then misses a cross-court return winner attempt on the second. Can Mattek-Sands return from the brink again as she’s done all night? Now a third set point for Williams. Mattek-Sands faults and Serena steps way past the baseline. A return by Mattek-Sands just misses the corner and Serena has broken to win the second set and force a decider. We’re going the distance in Queens!
Second set: Williams 6-5 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Three straight winners by Williams, who continues to shine on her serve, punctuated by a 103mph ace down the middle. Another love hold. After the changeover Mattek-Sands will serve to force a second-set tiebreaker.
Second set: *Williams 5-5 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Another serve and volley by Mattek-Sands to force Williams into another netted backhand. Then a sprayed backhand by Williams to make it 30-love. Serena with a thudding return winner cuts it to 30-15, but she hits a netcord on the next point, the ball sails out and Mattek-Sands will have a game point. At 40-15, Serena’s return sails far long and Bethanie holds. On serve in the second.
Mattek-Sands breaks!
Second set: Williams 5-4 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Two quick points by Serena, then a double fault – her second of the set and fourth of the match. Mattek-Sands wins another point to level it at 30-all. Williams waiting at the net, a bit perturbed, as Mattek-Sands towels herself off. And then a double fault by Serena! A break-point chance for Mattek-Sands. And then Williams nets a forehand! They’re back on serve in the second set. Looks like someone didn’t read the script. Mattek-Sands now 3-for-3 on break points compared to 2-for-13 for Williams.
Williams breaks!
Second set: *Williams 5-3 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Williams with a winner for a foothold on Mattek-Sands’s serve and you can feel the sold-out crowd really behind her to get the break. Mattek-Sands answers with a point, but then fires a 73mph second serve that Williams crushes for a return winner. 15-30. Cross-court forehand winner by Serena to pass Mattek-Sands at the net and she’ll have another two break-point chances at 15-40. Pumps both fists simulataneously to pump herself up. Then a return winner off a Mattek-Sands’s second serve. Williams gets the break, lets out the most extended “Come on!” I think I’ve ever seen from her, and will serve for the second set. Mattek-Sands’s first serve let her down terribly in that game as Serena is simply dining on the second.
Second set: Williams 4-3 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
A pair of blistering service winners by Serena to move ahead 30-love. She’s now 10-for-10 on first-serve points this set. Mattek-Sands responds with a nifty approach winner, but Serena uncorks a 101mph ace to make it 40-15 that Mattek-Sands challenges unsuccessfully. (Notably, she’s now out of her allotted challenges for the second set.) Easy ace for Serena to hold and the pressure shifts back to Mattek-Sands.
Second set: *Williams 3-3 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
An easier start here for Mattek-Sands, who wins two quick points to move ahead 30-love. She misfires at the net and sends a volley long, but another point to Bethanie makes it 40-15. Then Serena dumps a return into the net and Mattek-Sands holds, her most comfortable service game in some time.
Second set: Williams 3-2 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Another love hold for Serena. She’s 8-for-8 on first serve points this set, 4-for-5 on second serve. Just dealing on serve.
Second set: *Williams 2-2 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Not the best time for Mattek-Sands’s first two double faults of the night as she quickly falls behind 15-40. Two more break-point chances here. And Mattek-Sands saves them both to bring it to deuce. Serena now just 1-for-11 on break point. Another forehand error for Williams to give Mattek-Sands a game point, but Serena brings it back to deuce with a volley winner at the net. Mattek-Sands misfires on a volley – a forced error – and Serena will have her third break-point chance of this game (and 12th of the night). Clever shotmaking by Mattek-Sands and she forces Williams to come in to retrieve a volley and she doesn’t arrive in time, dumpin a shot into the net while skidding to a stop. Deuce. And wow! Mattek-Sands with a with a drop shot that Serena retrieves, but Bethanie fires back a lob winner that Serena for all her hustle can’t get back. A game point as Mattek-Sands waves her arms to pump up the crowd as she returns to the baseline. Then a service winner to secure the hold. That’s Mattek-Sands’s second straight hold from 15-40 down.
Second set: Williams 2-1 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Serena dealing on her serve now. She’s ahead 30-love in a blink. Then crushes a passing shot for a winner past a fast-approaching Mattek-Sands, followed by a service winner for a comfortable love hold in less than a minute.
Second set: *Williams 1-1 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Williams winner followed by a misfired volley by Mattek-Sands puts her in a love-30 hole. Bethanie pulls within 15-30, but then Williams runs her ragged during an extended rally then closes it with a punishing approach winner to make it 15-40. Two break-point chances for Serena. Mattek-Sands saves the first with a winner, then Williams sprays a backhand wide on the second – her seventh error from that side. Deuce. Mattek-Sands has now saved eight of nine break points. Two quick points by Mattek-Sands and she’s got the hold from 15-40 down. Impressive nerve.
Second set: Williams 1-0 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
A lightning-quick hold for Serena, who’s eager to get going.
Mattek-Sands breaks and wins first set!
First set: Williams 3-6 Mattek-Sands
Nerves for Bethanie as she misses her first serve badly, then watches as Serena crushes a winner off a feeble second serve. Rebounds nicely with a winner at the net to make it 15-all, but Williams delivers another winner to move with two points of the crucial break at 15-30. Another missed first serve by Mattek-Sands before she dumps a running forehand into the net to earn a pair of break-point chances at 15-40. She saves them both as Williams overcooks consecutive returns – that’s five of six break points saved so far for Mattek-Sands tonight – but Serena wins another point to push Bethanie to the wall again. Mattek-Saves it on an unforced error by Williams, then another unforced error to give Mattek-Sands set point. And another error by Serena gives Mattek-Sands the set! That’s the first time since 2005 that Serena Williams has lost a set against an American at the US Open.
First set: Williams 3-5 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Williams with a service winner, then Mattek-Sands dumps a return into the net. Another mishit return by Mattek-Sands to go down 40-love. Serena double-faults – her second of the night – and it’s 40-15, but she closes out the hold with a volley winner. How will Mattek-Sands’s nerve hold up here as she tries to close out the first set on her serve?
First set: *Williams 2-5 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Longest rally of the match at 16 strokes ends with a Serena winner, but Mattek-Sands levels it at 15-all with one of her own. Then Bethanie sprays a backhand wide to give Serena a half-chance at 15-30. Another serve and volley and Mattek-Sands puts away a volley winner to make it 30-all – her doubles instincts taking over once again. Williams passes an approaching Mattek-Sands to earn a break-point chance and lets out a scream to charge herself up. 30-40. Another volley winner by Mattek-Sands, who’s mixing her shots and approaches up very effectively, to save it. A Williams winner sails wide and Mattek-Sands will have a game point, then Serena nets a forehand to give Bethanie the hold. After the changeover the world No1 will serve to stay in the first set. One person who’s not concerened is loyal reader John McEnerney, who sends the following via Twitter.
@BryanAGraham in the middle of feeding my 6wk old twins & see SW in trouble, I'm sure she'll be back in it by the time I get their wind up
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) September 4, 2015
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Mattek-Sands breaks!
First set: Williams 2-4 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Two quick points for Mattek-Sands, then Serena pipes in a 118mph ace to make it 15-30. Second time tonight Williams has struck an ace from love-30 down. Then another error for Serena makes it 15-40 and gives Mattek-Sands a pair of break points. Mattek-Sands comes to the net to volley, Serena tries to lob her ... and Mattek-Sands gets up for an overhand smash winner and the break!
Williams breaks!
First set: *Williams 2-3 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Williams strikes first with a winner, then Mattek-Sands comes to the net to try a volley but Serena arrives in time to pound an easy winner into the open court. Mattek-Sands on the board on a Williams error, then she levels it at 30-all with another volley winner at the net. Serena buries a return into the net to give Mattek-Sands a game point, but Williams – stepping well inside the baseline on a second serve – brings it to deuce with a devastating return winner that stops Mattek-Sands in her tracks. Williams with another return winner to earn another break-point chance, but Mattek-Sands saves it by wrong-footing Serena and punching a forehand winner into the corner. Another winner gives Mattek-Sands another game point, but she misses the first serve and Williams – oh, she’s just dining on Bethanie’s second serve – and it’s back to deuce. Williams hits a backhand winner from the baseline to make earn her third break-point opportunity of the night and this time she breaks through when Mattek-Sands approaches the net and sends a shot past the baseline. Back on serve after five games.
Updated
First set: Williams 1-3 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
Two quick points for Mattek-Sands as a sloppy, tight Williams continues to sputter. A 100mph service winner gets Williams into the game at 30-15, then she levels it at 30-all when Mattek-Sands rushes the net after the return and Williams easily passes her. A backhand winner into the corner by Williams, who appears to be finding her range, makes it 40-30. Then Mattek-Sands overcooks a forehand to give Serena the hold and put her on the board. Early show of emotion from Williams, who pumps her fist and lets out a “Come on!”
Updated
First set: *Williams 0-3 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Three quick unforced errors for Williams and Mattek-Sands sprints ahead 40-0. And, how about that, a hold a love for the 30-year-old American. Lots of short points so far with only one rally longer than five shots. The chip-and-charge approach of Mattek-Sands, an experienced doubles player, yielding strong dividends early on.
Mattek-Sands breaks!
First set: Williams 0-2 Mattek-Sands* (*denotes next server)
A return winner by Mattek-Sands, then Serena double-faults and she’s quickly in a love-30 hole. Williams closes it to 15-30 with a 97mph ace, then Mattek-Sands rushes the net and wins a short point with a deft angled volley to earn a pair of break-point chances at 15-40. She needs only one of them as Serena sprays a forehand well past the baseline. Another slow start for Williams.
Updated
First set: *Williams 0-1 Mattek-Sands (*denotes next server)
Two quick points for Mattek-Sands, who’s died her hair orange – or “tangerine” as she calls it – for the occasion. Forehand error makes it 30-15, but a service winner gives her a game point. Thunderous return winner by Serena pulls it to 40-30. Mattek-Sands tries a serve and volley, but the undercooked serve is right in Serena’s strike zone and she pounds it back for a winner. Deuce. Williams with another return winner on an agonizingly slow Mattek-Sands serve (78 mph) gives Serena a break-point chance. Mattek-Sands saves it, then crunches her best serve of the game at 114mph service winner. Williams sprays a forehand wide and Mattek-Sands escapes with the hold.
Consistency
The last time Serena failed to reach the last 16 here – when she suffered a third-round defeat to Irina Spîrlea in her US Open debut – Miley Cyrus looked like this.
Tale of the tape
The players are on court for their warm-ups. Here’s a look at how today’s two combatants match up.
Williams v Mattek-Sands
1 WTA ranking 101
33 Age 30
5 2015 singles titles 0
69 Career singles titles 0
81-9 Career US Open record 7-13
50-2 2015 record 11-12
725-118 Career record 115-140
$9,792,645 2015 prize money $1,104,204
$73,293,424 Career prize money $4,139,069
Preamble
Welcome to tonight’s All-American third-round match between Serena Williams and Bethanie Mattek-Sands at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The sun is setting on a temperate Friday night here in Queens as the world No1 – the defending Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion – looks to take another step toward a historic calendar-year grand slam. The players are going through their pre-match interviews now and we’ll be underway within the next 15 minutes.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Kevin Mitchell’s account of Serena’s second-round win over Kiki Bertens.
If this were a fight, it might have been called off before a blow had been landed. But Kiki Bertens, a smiling, 23-year-old Dutch qualifier who looked pleased just to be here, made a decent fist of her impossible assignment in dappled light on Arthur Ashe and pushed Serena Williams at least to the lower slopes of anxiety on day three of the 2015 US Open.
Williams took an hour and a half to win 7-6, 6-3, recovering from 1-3 in the first set and 0-4 in the tie-break. She served well enough – 10 aces and 20 unreturned among the 164 points contested – but 34 unforced errors, to 31 by her opponent, told a story of struggle under pressure.
The American – who had the luxury of a farcical retirement win for the loss of only five points against the injured Russian Vitalia Diatchenko on Monday night – will want better stats than those when she plays her compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the third round.
