Venus Williams survived a scare against teenage qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova at the US Open after battling through 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, in the first round.
The disparity between the two players was evident. Five-time grand slam champion Williams was seeking her 258th main draw win in a grand slam. Meanwhile, 2016 US Open girls finalist Kuzmova was bidding to get her first. The encounter was a case of young against old with Williams’ experience prevailing.
“She played amazing. I didn’t do a ton wrong.” Williams said about Kuzmova during her on court interview. “She just stepped it up and i’m sure there is a lot of great things ahead for her.”
At the start it appeared as if the match was going to be on williams’ terms. World No.135 Kuzmova had to save seven break points in her opening service game before getting broken two games later. The start to the match allowed the 36-year-old to seal the opening set with ease.
As Williams broke immediate at the start of the second set, she then encountered some fierce resistance from the qualifier. 19-year-old Kuzmova, who was making her debut in the main draw of a grand slam, illustrated her potential as a future star of the women’s tour. Refusing to be intimidated by the home favourite, the Slovakian hit ten winners on route to forcing the match into a decider. Sealing the set with a cross-court forehand winner.
The lackluster performance of the former champion expanded into the decider. After winning eight out of nine points to move ahead 2-0, she was forced to comeback from a 0-40 deficit to extend her lead in the match. A possibility of a shock exit was no more. Kuzmova kept battling hard, but the American came out on top. Sealing victory with the help of a forehand drifting long from her opponent.
Williams clinched the victory with a total of 19 winners against 28 unforced errors. Compared to Kuzmova’s tally of 27 and 42. The year is the 20th anniversary of when the American made her debut at Flushing Meadows back in 1997.
“It’s been a beautiful 20 years. I love this game.” She stated. “That’s why i’m still here and I’m not sure if there will be 20 more. I am just going to enjoy this year.”
The ninth seed is one out of seven players currently in contention of the No.1 ranking. Although, she isn’t phrased by the scenario.
“I just want to win, and if you win, you get the ranking. That is all I want to do.” She concluded.
