Somehow, some way she got stronger. And then stronger again. Faster and then faster again. Better and bolder and as big as the moment.
The longer it went, the more she seemed to believe, seemed to say, yes, retirement is coming, but not today, not tonight.
None of it made any sense.
Maybe none of it ever did with Serena Williams.
Via an intense, emotional, improbable performance Wednesday, Serena Williams defeated Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2 to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open, which she has said will be the final competitive tournament of her legendary career.