Serena Williams bursts out laughing after being asked what she did in her bathroom break

Serena Williams bursts out laughing as she says she ‘just got lighter but it WASN’T a No 2’ after being asked what she did in her bathroom break before coming back to win in deciding set against Anett Kontaveit

It was a night to remember for all those present and those watching at home as 40-year-old Serena Williams was able to summon up the fortitude to win her second round-match at the US Open over world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit.  

Williams seemed to turn back the clock, putting on a brilliant performance in the first set, struggling in the second and then coming out of the locker room to dominate the third set with a final score of 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. 

The occasion was one of Williams’ best performances this season, with the third set in particular a point of note as Kontaveit faltered and Serena got stronger.

So what was it in the bathroom break at Flushing Meadows that got Serena to that point? 

A reporter asked Serena if she did anything during her trip to the washroom that helped focus her efforts for her dominant final set. 

Serena Williams continues writing the story book after a second round win on Wednesday 

‘Yeah, no I just got lighter,’ Serena said, chuckling to herself after.

She implored those watching, ‘Use your imagination… but it wasn’t a No 2 so…’ before losing herself in more giggles as the rest of the reporter corps broke out laughing.

No matter what Williams did, she seemed more composed and focused during that third set.

The 40-year-old knocked second seed Anett Kontaveit out of the US Open on Wednesday

The 40-year-old knocked second seed Anett Kontaveit out of the US Open on Wednesday 

Following her second-round triumph, Williams admitted she is in no rush to bow out in New York.

‘It’s no rush here,’ she said. ‘I’m just loving this crowd. It’s really fantastic. There’s still a little left in me so we’ll see.’

When asked how she beat the World No. 2 after playing very few matches this year, Williams responded with a wry smile.

‘Well, I’m a pretty good player,’ she said before laughing. ‘This is what I do best. I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge.

She has double duty coming up - doubles with Venus Thursday, then the third round on Friday

She has double duty coming up – doubles with Venus Thursday, then the third round on Friday

‘So yeah, I haven’t played a lot of matches but I’ve been practicing really well and the last few matches it just hasn’t been coming together and I’ve been like, “But this just isn’t me”.’

‘But the last few matches here in New York it has really been coming together. Maybe I should have traveled with you all these last few weeks,’ she told the crowd.

When asked if she was surprising herself with her level she laughed and said, ‘No. I’m just Serena so…’

Her focus now turns to two events over the next two days. 

First, a reunion with her sister Venus in women’s doubles sees them taking on Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Then, Friday night will see Serena try to make the quarterfinals of the US Open for the fourth time in five years, needing a third-round victory over Australia’s Alja Tomljanovic to do so.

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