MASON, Ohio (AP) – Serena Williams pumped her fist after each emphatic point during a two-set victory over Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday, a solid start at defending her Cincinnati title.
Williams won the Western & Southern Open for the first time last year, getting one of the few titles that had eluded her. This year, she’s using it as a final tuneup for the U.S. Open, where she’ll be trying to complete a Grand Slam sweep.
Her sister, Venus, dropped out of the tournament Tuesday night with an illness.
Williams beat Pironkova 7-5, 6-3 in an hour and 29 minutes, fighting off three break points in the first set. Rain fell just as the match ended.
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