<p>Serena Williams swept into the US Open second round on Monday on an emotional night in New York in what is expected to be the 23-time Grand Slam title winner's final tournament.</p>.<p>The 40-year-old defeated Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-3, 6-3 in front of more than 23,000 fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.</p>.<p>Former world number one Williams had won just one match on tour all year before Monday and seen her ranking slip to 605.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/brand-serena-will-stay-strong-post-retirement-1140167.html" target="_blank">Brand Serena will stay strong post-retirement</a></strong><br /><br />That kind of form prompted Williams to reveal that she was on the brink of retirement from the sport in which she played her first match as a professional in 1995.</p>.<p>"It was such a hard decision," said Williams on her decision to announce earlier this month that "the countdown" is on for her retirement and that she "was evolving away from tennis".</p>.<p>"I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away," she said.</p>.<p>"I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game.</p>.<p>She added: "I think now's the time. I have a family and there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution."</p>.<p>"It's like Serena 2.0. I will still be crazy, I'll still be intense. I'll still be around. But I look forward to waking up and not having to run onto a tennis court."</p>.<p>On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamond-encrusted black dress and jacket which sparkled under the lights, overcame a nervy first game for a hold of serve.</p>.<p>The American star brought the crowd to their feet with a break for 2-0, chasing down a net cord to hit a winner.</p>.<p>Kovinic, the world number 80, has enjoyed a solid year at the Slams, reaching the third round of the Australian and French Opens.</p>.<p>The 27-year-old hit back with a break of her own and edged ahead for 3-2.</p>.<p>However, Williams buried the error count -- she served up six double faults in the opener -- levelled and then raced away with the next three games to take the first set.</p>.<p>Another break for 3-2 arrived in the second set on the back of crunching drives from the back of the court.</p>.<p>A love service game gave the American a 5-3 lead and a final break of the night gave her victory.</p>.<p>She celebrated with a little jig on the baseline and a broad smile, much to the delight of a crowd which included the likes of tennis legend Martina Navratilova, ex-world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former US president Bill Clinton.</p>.<p>The crowd held up cards to spell out "Serena, we love you".</p>.<p>Next up for Williams is second round clash against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Serena Williams swept into the US Open second round on Monday on an emotional night in New York in what is expected to be the 23-time Grand Slam title winner's final tournament.</p>.<p>The 40-year-old defeated Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-3, 6-3 in front of more than 23,000 fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.</p>.<p>Former world number one Williams had won just one match on tour all year before Monday and seen her ranking slip to 605.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/brand-serena-will-stay-strong-post-retirement-1140167.html" target="_blank">Brand Serena will stay strong post-retirement</a></strong><br /><br />That kind of form prompted Williams to reveal that she was on the brink of retirement from the sport in which she played her first match as a professional in 1995.</p>.<p>"It was such a hard decision," said Williams on her decision to announce earlier this month that "the countdown" is on for her retirement and that she "was evolving away from tennis".</p>.<p>"I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away," she said.</p>.<p>"I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game.</p>.<p>She added: "I think now's the time. I have a family and there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution."</p>.<p>"It's like Serena 2.0. I will still be crazy, I'll still be intense. I'll still be around. But I look forward to waking up and not having to run onto a tennis court."</p>.<p>On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamond-encrusted black dress and jacket which sparkled under the lights, overcame a nervy first game for a hold of serve.</p>.<p>The American star brought the crowd to their feet with a break for 2-0, chasing down a net cord to hit a winner.</p>.<p>Kovinic, the world number 80, has enjoyed a solid year at the Slams, reaching the third round of the Australian and French Opens.</p>.<p>The 27-year-old hit back with a break of her own and edged ahead for 3-2.</p>.<p>However, Williams buried the error count -- she served up six double faults in the opener -- levelled and then raced away with the next three games to take the first set.</p>.<p>Another break for 3-2 arrived in the second set on the back of crunching drives from the back of the court.</p>.<p>A love service game gave the American a 5-3 lead and a final break of the night gave her victory.</p>.<p>She celebrated with a little jig on the baseline and a broad smile, much to the delight of a crowd which included the likes of tennis legend Martina Navratilova, ex-world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former US president Bill Clinton.</p>.<p>The crowd held up cards to spell out "Serena, we love you".</p>.<p>Next up for Williams is second round clash against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia on Wednesday.</p>