Serena loses to Ajla in US Open farewell

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NEW YORK, Sept 3, (AP): Andy Murray’s latest Week 1 exit at a Grand Slam tournament did not discourage him. The threetime major champion still thinks he can go toe-to-toe with the best in men’s tennis – even after two hip operations, even as the years without a trip past the third round at any of the sport’s biggest events stretch on. After bowing out at that stage of the U.S. Open with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3 loss across more than 3 1/2 hours against 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini on Friday, Murray chose to look on the bright side.

Serena Williams of the United States reacts after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic of Austrailia in the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. (AP)

Berrettini, a big hitter who reached the 2019 semifinals at Flushing Meadows, dominated in just about every statistical way at Arthur Ashe Stadium, hours before 23-time Grand Slam title winner Serena Williams was eliminated by Ajla Tomljanovic with a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 loss in what was expected to be her final match.

Williams, who turns 41 this month, still didn’t definitely say her career was over. But her tearful thanks to her parents, older sister Venus and fans afterward made it sound that way. “It’s been a fun ride. It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on in my life,” Williams said. She turns 41 this month and recently told the world that she is ready to start “evolving” away from her playing days – she expressed distaste for the word “retirement” – Williams said, tears streaming down her cheeks shortly after one final shot landed in the net. “I’m so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go, Serena!’ in their life.” Asked during an on-court interview whether she might reconsider walking away, Williams replied: “I don’t think so, but you never know.” A little later, pressed on the same topic at her post-match news conference, Williams joked, “I always did love Australia,” the country that hosts the next Grand Slam tournament in January. Coco Gauff, an 18-year-old American who reached the final at the French Open in June, made it to the fourth round at the U.S. Open for the first time with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Madison Keys, the 2017 runner-up in New York and seeded 20th this year.

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