Live updates: Serena Williams takes on Anett Kontaveit in possible US Open career swan song

Standing between Serena Williams and a place in the third round is the 26-year-old from Tallinn, Anett Kontaveit.

Kontaveit beat Romania’s world number 77 Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, to advance to the second round.

She is the second seed at Flushing Meadows, as befits her status as world number two, but despite that lofty ranking, she’s had a relatively rough 2022.

She claimed the WTA title in St. Petersburg in February — her sixth career crown — and followed that up by finishing second to world number one Iga Świątek in Doha, but since then her form has fallen off a cliff.

Kontaveit has won back-to-back matches at only three events she’s entered since February, losing in the first round at the French Open to Ajla Tomljanović and the second round of Wimbledon to Jule Niemeier. although did reach the final on clay at Hamburg, losing to Bernarda Pera.

“Once I found my groove, I was playing really well,” Kontaveit said after her first round win.

“I actually felt like I was rallying really well, felt the ball great. I just fought hard and I was very happy with the way I managed to finish that match.”

She has never met Serena Williams on court and said, as all the attention will be on Williams, she can relax and just play her game.

“I’m really excited. I was really rooting for her to win [on Tuesday]. I’ve never played against her. I mean, this is the last chance. Better late than never,” she said.

“I’m really excited. I think the atmosphere is going to be amazing.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be one of those matches this year that I haven’t had too many where I just have no pressure on me. I’ll just get to enjoy and play as good as I can on the day.

“I’m just going to take it as a real unique experience. I’m not sure if I’ll ever experience something like this again. I think it’s a special moment for her.”

Fast fact on Kontaviet, she was born on Christmas Eve.

It’s not relevant in any way, but consider this your first warning that Christmas is within the next four months.