Serena Williams defeated Caty McNally in three sets (5-7, 6-3, 6-1) on Wednesday, extending her hopes of earning her 24th Grand Slam title with a second-round U.S. Open victory.
McNally outlasted Williams after the first ten games, claiming the first set 7-5. The 17-year-old American reeled off three points in a row despite facing a 0-40 disadvantage on her serve, clinching the set on a 103-mph serve onto the centerline.
After losing the first set, Williams took a 5-2 lead in the second set before McNally staved off four set points to make it 5-3. Willams then gained a fifth set point and converted it with a backhand volley winner, claiming the second set 6-3.