NEW YORK — Two-times winner Venus Williams was tested by unseeded Puerto Rican Monica Puig but prevailed in three sets on Monday to give the Williams family a positive start on opening day at the U.S. Open.
Williams, seeded 23rd, battled to a 6-4 6-7(7) 6-3 victory over her gritty 21-year-old opponent in a two-hour 40-minute contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match finished hours before younger sister Serena was set to begin her quest to complete the first calendar sweep of the four grand slams in 27 years when she faces Russia's Vitalia Diatchenko in the tournament's opening match under the lights.