U.S. Open defending champion Serena Williams, of the United States, returns a ball during her first round match against Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. AP
NEW YORK, United States—Serena Williams struggled but advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Friday by defeating 101st-ranked compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
READ: Feeling ‘tight,’ Serena Williams moves forward in Slam bid
The 33-year-old American, trying to complete the first calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988, battled nerves and mistakes plus a determined rival early, but seized command late in the second set and dominated to the finish.
Williams, holder of all four major titles, is trying for her 22nd career Slam singles crown to match Graf’s Open Era record and move two shy of Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark.
Williams next faces US 19th seed Madison Keys, who ousted Polish 15th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-2.
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