When Serena Williams is asked what she did during her bathroom break before returning to defeat Anett Kontaveit in the deciding set, she laughs and responds, “just got lighter but it WASN’T a No. 2.”

Beyonce serves as the voiceover for a new commercial honoring Serena Williams.
Serena laughs when asked about her bathroom break. Serena Williams.

When 40-year-old Serena Williams defeated world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open, it was a night to remember for everyone there and those watching at home.

Williams put on a brilliant performance in the first set, struggled in the second, and then emerged from the locker room to dominate the third set, winning 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. Williams appeared to turn the clock back.
It was one of Williams’ best performances of the season, with the third set in particular standing out as Kontaveit’s performance declined and Serena’s strength increased.
What caused Serena to reach that conclusion during the bathroom break at Flushing Meadows?
Serena was questioned by a reporter about whether she did anything to concentrate her efforts for her decisive final set while she was using the restroom.
Serena Williams won the second round on Wednesday, continuing to write the book.

Serena laughed after saying, “Yeah, no, I just got lighter.”
Use your imagination, she pleaded to those watching. but it wasn’t a No 2 so…,” she continued, losing herself in more giggles as the other reporters in the room also started to laugh.

 

Williams appeared more collected and focused during that third set, regardless of what she did.
On Wednesday, the 40-year-old eliminated US Open second seed Anett Kontaveit.
Following her victory in the second round, Williams acknowledged she is not eager to leave New York.
There is no rush here, she declared. “I just adore this crowd,” I said. It’s really wonderful. We’ll see; I still have a little left in me.

Williams smiled wryly in response to the question of how she defeated the World No. 2 after playing so few matches this year.

I guess you could say I’m a pretty good player, she said, laughing. “This is my specialty.” I enjoy challenges. I enjoy accepting challenges.

She will play doubles with Venus on Thursday, followed by the third round on Friday.

So, while I haven’t played many matches, I have been practicing a lot, and in my last few matches, things haven’t quite clicked, and I’ve thought, “But this just isn’t me.”
However, things have started to come together over the past few games played here in New York. She said to the crowd, “Perhaps I should have traveled with you all these past few weeks.

She laughed and replied, “No,” when asked if she thought her level surprised her. I’m only Serena, so…

Her attention is now on two things that will happen over the next two days.

First, she will play tomorrow’s women’s doubles match with her sister Venus against Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.
Serena will then attempt to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years on Friday night. To do so, she must defeat Australian Alja Tomljanovic in the third round.

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