NEW YORK — Serena Williams flirted with grand slam danger once again but kept her calendar-year Grand Slam bid on track by beating a battling, 101st-ranked Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6 7-5 6-0 at the U.S. Open on Friday.
Williams, who lost nine sets, including seven first-set losses, in her charge to the Australian, French and Wimbledon titles, was tested at Flushing Meadows by her fellow American, but roared back to victory to reach the fourth round.
"I'm not trying to live on the edge," the 33-year-old Williams said in an on-court interview. "I'm playing players that come out really strong.