Serena Williams wins first round match at U.S. open
Serena Williams just yet is not ready to say goodbye. In her first match to overwhelm what is expected to be the last U.S. Open and last tournament of her remarkable playing career, Williams overcame a shaky start on Monday night Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3 in a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium with an atmosphere more akin to a festival than a farewell. At about 6:15 p.m., beside Arthur Ashe Stadium for a half-hour hitting session to warm up, Williams made the short walk to the practice courts. With shrieks of “Serenaaaaa!” On her way in above the practice area folks packing the bleachers greeted her, and again yelled on her way out, before Williams strode, lips pursed, back into the stadium receiving a wave of her racket as acknowledgement. The match began about 45 minutes after that, and it was as clear as ever that she means a lot to a lot of people. As a tennis player, as a woman, as an African American, as a mother and as a businesswoman. Early, Williams was not...