Just as United States Open officials indicated they would back in June, the tournament boosted the seeding of the six-time champion Serena Williams because of her return from giving birth — but only by a few spots.
Williams, ranked 26th, was seeded 17th by the tournament, essentially bumping her up one level in the seedings: Instead of being on course to play a top-eight seed in the third round, she is now positioned to meet a player seeded between No. 9 and No. 16.
Heading into what will be her seventh tournament of the year, Williams has had a summer of mixed results.