Anett Kontaveit returns a shot to Jaqueline Adina Cristian during the first...

Anett Kontaveit returns a shot to Jaqueline Adina Cristian during the first round of the US Open tennis championships on Monday.  Credit: Julia Nikhinson

Playing a legend like Serena Williams in prime time on Arthur Ashe Wednesday night will be a dream come true for Anett Kontaveit.

“I’m really excited. I was pulling for her to win,” Kontaveit, the No. 2 ranked player in the world,  said after watching Williams defeat Danka Kovinic in the first round of the U.S. Open Monday night. “I’ve never played against her. I mean this is the last chance.

“Better late than never.”

Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam tournaments, announced earlier this month that she would likely retire after this year’s U.S. Open.

Heading into the match, it was hard to predict how Williams would play. Williams did not compete for a full year after getting injured in the first round of Wimbledon last year. When she returned at Wimbledon this year, she lost in the first round. In the three matches she has played since then, she has won just once and most recently lost in the first round of the Western and Southern Open to defending U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu.

Williams looked the best she has in a while in her 6-3, 6-3 win over the 80th-ranked Kovinic. However, Kontaveit, who defeated Jaqueline Cristian in the first round, should provide a much stiffer challenge.

The 26-year-old from Estonia has reached three WTA finals this season, including a win at the St. Petersburg Open in February. She has struggled some recently, losing three of her last four matches heading into the U.S. Open. 

Kontaveit says she is going into the match with the attitude that she is the underdog.

“I don't feel like there is any pressure on me on the results or anything,” she said. “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.”

Williams said after winning her first-round match that she wasn’t even looking ahead to Wednesday.

Said Williams: At this point, honestly, everything is a bonus for me. I mean, I think every opponent is difficult.”

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