Serena Williams still has at least one more match left in her professional tennis career. Despite previously announcing that the 2022 U.S. Open would be her final tournament, the 23-time major champion decisively defeated 27-year-old Montenegro native Danka Kovinić in straight sets, with a score of 6–3, 6–3, on Monday night. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim and Chris Almeida analyze Williams’ performance in what could potentially be her farewell appearance and discuss the expectations moving forward.

Chris Almeida: Serena Williams isn’t calling it quits just yet. Her first-round match appeared relatively routine, especially compared to her previous outing at Wimbledon. Although she started a bit nervously with a couple of double faults in the opening game, she quickly found her rhythm. Williams showcased her trademark serving prowess and agility, delivering shots with the same precision we’ve come to expect from her.

Admittedly, her opponent, Danka Kovinić, has never ranked within the world’s top 40. However, the upcoming match against the second-seeded Anett Kontaveit will undoubtedly pose a tougher challenge. Nevertheless, Williams delivered an entertaining performance that delighted the crowd.

Jon Wertheim: Williams’ performance was convincing and reminiscent of her prime form. It’s worth noting that in her previous outing in Cincinnati, she suffered a lopsided defeat in the final set against Emma Raducanu, a player with a less than stellar record this year. Therefore, there were concerns regarding her competitiveness entering this match. However, she exceeded expectations with an impressive display. Realistically, winning the tournament may be a tall order for Williams at this stage of her career.

Nonetheless, her performance in the first round was quintessential Serena Williams.