‘Unbelievable’: Serena Williams defeats world No. 2 in thrilling scenes at US Open

American tennis icon Serena Williams has pulled off a massive upset at the US Open, defeating the world No. 2 in dramatic scenes.

Serena Williams of the United States. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Serena Williams, we are not worthy.

The American tennis icon has pulled off a major upset at the US Open on Thursday morning AEST, defeating world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in a thrilling second-round encounter at Flushing Meadows.

The 40-year-old, competing in the last tournament of her stellar career, booked her spot in the third round after putting on an absolute clinic against the 2021 US Open finalist.

Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

She will next face Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic following the epic 7-6 2-6 6-2 win.

“I’m not in any rush here (to leave),” Williams proclaimed after the remarkable triumph.

“I’m loving this crowd, and there’s still a little left in me. We’ll see.

“This is what I do best, I haven’t played many matches but I have been practising really well.

“The last couple of matches in New York it’s really come together.”

When asked whether she was surprised at her level, Williams replied: “I’m just Serena, you know?

“I’m just looking at it as a bonus, I have nothing to prove … I have nothing to lose.

“I haven’t been able to play like this since 1998, I’ve had an X on my back since 1999.”

SERENA WILLIAMS KEEPS ON WINNING pic.twitter.com/1mwixyVjtw

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022

The adoring home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which featured a plethora of A-list celebrities and a record attendance of 29,959, went berserk when Williams broke serve in ninth game to take a 5-4 lead in the opening set with her serve to come.

But the 23-time grand slam champion succumbed to the pressure, double faulting in the following game to gift Kontaveit a break and put the set back on serve.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically when Williams’ second serve went long, with the New York crowd left in stunned silence.

The first set eventually went to a tiebreak and Williams held her nerve to secure the opener with a powerful ace. American golf champion Tiger Woods celebrated with a roar and a clenched fist.

Serena Williams eyes the ball. Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP

Kontaveit showed her class early in the second set by breaking serve twice and taking a 3-0 lead, but Williams immediately got one on the breaks back to keep herself in the contest.

And the topsy-turvy second set had another twist, with the Estonian breaking serve for a third time to stamp her authority over the match.

Williams seemingly start conserving energy for the decisive set as Kontaveit cruised to a 6-2 victory in the second, getting the job done with an ace.

Things were getting tense at Flushing Meadows, but Williams rediscovered her mojo to secure an early break in the third set.

And Kontaveit wasn’t budging, winning four consecutive points in the following game to break from 0-40 down and put the final set back on serve.

But Williams proved why she’s a champion, breaking serve in the fourth game to go 3-1 ahead with her serve to come; the energy was electrifying.

The following three games remained on serve before Williams broke to love at 5-2 to claim an unforgettable victory.

Williams now boasts a 23-2 record in her last 25 matches against players ranked in the top two, a run that dates back to 2007.

Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted: “Thank you @serenawilliams for inspiring people around the world with your talent, grace, and determination both on and off the court. We celebrate all that you have been, all that you are, and all that is to come.”

THAT IS WHY SHE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!! Unstoppable queen!!!#Serena#USOpen

— Alex Stockwell (@alexrstockwell) September 1, 2022

Unbelievable.

— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) September 1, 2022

Respect to Serena Williams. To be a professional athlete and be this good. This long. Is truly remarkable #usopen

— Charlie Bell (@flintstone14) September 1, 2022

There is no explanation for Serena winning this match, given how she’s looked for more than a year, except for the fact that she’s one of the greatest athletes to ever live and she simply decided her career wouldn’t end tonight.

Remarkable stuff.

— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 1, 2022

After a glittering 27-year professional career, Williams entered this year’s US Open preparing to bid farewell to tennis at the major tournament where it all began.

The Williams swansong started on Tuesday morning when she claimed a straight sets 6-3 6-4 win over world No. 80 Danka Kovinic in the first round.

Williams said she didn’t expect the tributes and the reaction to her retirement, calling the crowd “crazy”.

“When I step out on the court, I just want to do the best that I can do on that particular day,” she said.

“It’s been such a hard decision (retirement). I think when you’re passionate about something and love something so much, it’s always hard to walk away. Sometimes I think it’s harder to walk away than not and that’s been the case for me.”

Serena Williams of the United States. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Earlier on Thursday, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios sensationally complained to the chair umpire he breathed in marijuana coming from the US Open crowd during his rollercoaster second round win against world No. 50 Benjamin Bonzi.

The 27-year-old was given code violation warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour after swearing towards his player’s box and spitting on the court in their direction.

The disgusting incident occurred when Bonzi secured a break in the fourth set.

“Go home if you’re not going to f***ing support me bro,” Kyrgios shouted towards his player’s box, which included girlfriend Costeen Hatzi.
At the change of ends, Kyrgios was overheard telling the chair umpire: “It was f***ing marajiuana. It was smoke. Obviously I’m not going to complain about food.

“Obviously when athletes are running side to side and they have asthma, it’s probably not ideal.”

The chair umpire responded by making an announcement to the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen as a courtesy to the players please refrain yourselves from smoking around the court. Thankyou,” he said.