NEW YORK – They were just two particular points from Serena Williams’ latest three-set comeback at the U.S. Open, yet they were pivotal – and impressive.
To earn them, Williams survived the sorts of lengthy exchanges filled with athleticism and brilliance that in any other year – at least any year not affected by a pandemic – would be marked by thousands of folks rising to their feet for delirious roars and raucous applause.
She needed both of these points, one of which included a shot she hit left-handed, to reverse a deficit that reached the scale of a set and a break after 45 minutes of her quarterfinal against Tsvetana Pironkova on a cloudy Wednesday in an Arthur Ashe Stadium that was without fans because of coronavirus restrictions.
Williams needed both of these points during a five-game, match-altering run – along with 20 aces, her most in a match in eight years – to end up on the right side of a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 score after more than two hours to get to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows for an 11th consecutive appearance.
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, right?” Williams said.