Serena Williams was never going to fade into the background, but few could’ve predicted the spectacular performance the 40-year-old put on to topple No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open Wednesday night.

“I’m a pretty good player. This is what I do. I love a challenge, and I’m rising to the challenge,” Williams said following her thrilling 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2 victory over the 26-year-old Estonian star.

When asked if she surprised herself with her level of play, Williams simply replied, “I am just Serena.”

Vintage Serena was on full display Wednesday, energizing a raucous crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fans poured into Flushing Meadows to catch a glimpse of what is expected to be Williams’ final US Open ahead of her impending evolution away from tennis.

The 29,959 fans who showed up to Billie Jean King National Tennis Center broke the all-time night-session attendance record — which had been set two nights earlier, when 29,402 showed up for Williams’ opening match.

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Williams’ iconic serve helped her in crucial moments. She fired 11 aces to clinch a hard-fought match that extended beyond the two-hour mark.

Kontaveit was a worthy opponent, at times drawing Serena off the court with a powerful baseline game. Williams, however, rose to the occasion, finding her openings and making them count.

“I think she played really well,” Kontaveit said after the match. “I mean, I thought I didn’t play a bad match at all. She definitely raised her level in the third set. She played amazing.”

Williams prevailed on a day where several top seeds faltered, including No. 3 Maria Sakkari, who Williams was projected to face in the semifinals should she advance that far. She now would be projected to face No. 12 Coco Gauff.

With upsets aplenty, Williams’ once-tough road through the bracket looks much more manageable as she heads to the round of 32. She wouldn’t go up against a seeded player until the quarterfinals, when she would be in line to face No. 5 Ons Jabeur if seedings hold true.

First, though, Williams will face No. 46 Ajla Tomljanović in the third round Friday. The Australian downed Evgeniya Rodina in a three-set battle to earn a meeting with Williams, who she has yet to face in her career.

While all eyes will be watching for Williams to continue her final run, the six-time US Open champion insists this campaign is simply icing on the cake.

“I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t have anything to win. I have absolutely nothing to lose,” Williams said.

The USWNT announced their 2025 season finale on Monday, setting a pair of friendlies against Italy at Orlando's Inter & Co Stadium on November 28th and Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on December 1st.

Facing the now-world No. 2 US for the first time in 15 years, Italy's recent run to the 2025 Euro semifinals shot them to No. 12 in the FIFA rankings.

"As we prepare for World Cup qualifying at the end of 2026, we want to play teams from all parts of the world with different styles and different strengths, so getting to play Italy, one of Europe's up-and-coming teams, will be a great way to end the year," said USWNT head coach Emma Hayes in a statement announcing the friendlies.

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After an extended break following a series of early July matchups, the US now has five matches left on the books, with the year-ending Italy matches rounding out three already-announced October friendlies.

The USWNT kicks off next month's lineup with two matches against Euro 2025 participant No. 23 Portugal, followed by a third friendly against No. 33 New Zealand.

As Hayes's year of roster evaluation comes to a close, expect stakes to rise as the 2027 World Cup comes into sharper view.

How to purchase tickets to the final 2025 USWNT friendlies

Though a myriad of presale opportunities are available throughout this week, tickets to both the November 28th match in Orlando and the December 1st friendly in Fort Lauderdale will go on sale to the general public on Friday.

Tickets will drop at 10 AM ET online.

The red-hot No. 2 Las Vegas Aces will hit the court in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs again on Tuesday night, facing off against the No. 7 Seattle Storm in Game 2 of the postseason's first round with an eye on scoring their 18th consecutive victory — and a trip to this year's semifinals.

"You guys celebrate this more than we do," MVP frontrunner A'ja Wilson said, brushing off the team's recent dominance. "The streak stopped in the regular season."

"It's the first to nine wins [for the championship], so that's how we want to approach it," Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon echoed, voicing a renewed focus on retaking the WNBA crown.

Following the league's new home-away-home first-round format, Seattle has the chance to extend their season on their home court on Tuesday night, as the Storm arrives back in market with few answers after suffering a 102-77 Game 1 loss.

"Our fans deserve for us to play well," said Seattle forward Nneka Ogwumike. "We have to figure out how to do it, no matter what. That's going to be the test on Tuesday."

How to watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm

No. 7 Seattle will try stay alive against No. 2 Las Vegas at 9:30 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage of Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs airing on ESPN.

With their backs against the wall, the No. 6 Indiana Fever will face down both the No. 3 Atlanta Dream and potential elimination from the 2025 WNBA Playoffs when they host their first home postseason game in nearly a decade on Tuesday night.

"I think you give yourself an edge as the home team. When they punched us, they punched us hard," Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell said after Sunday's 80-68 loss in Atlanta. "So we have to do the same thing."

"I would like to think that being back at home can kind of give us a sense of comfort, so hopefully we could use it for what it's worth and not take it for granted," she continued.

Mitchell will likely be the key to the Fever's survival, after an onslaught of season-ending injuries forced the three-time WNBA All-Star to step up as a scoring leader — with Mitchell dropping a postseason career-high 27 points in Sunday's Game 1.

"It's a lot of little things," said Indiana head coach Stephanie White following the weekend result. "I like where we are, I'm proud of our group for continuing to fight, and we're going to be better on Tuesday."

How to watch Atlanta vs. Indiana in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

No. 6 Indiana will tip off against No. 3 Atlanta in Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage airing on ESPN.

WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne is returning to the court, with USA Basketball announcing on Monday that the two-time league MVP will join the 3×3 Women's National Team as its first-ever managing director.

The 36-year-old officially retired in April 2025 after struggling with injuries, capping a career that spanned winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 FIBA World Cup with Team USA as well as two WNBA championships.

"Elena has been a member of the USA Basketball family for almost 15 years," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in Monday's press release. "Her wealth of knowledge of the sport of basketball and our organization will be an asset as we continue our journey."

As part of her duties, Delle Donne will be responsible for selecting the USA Basketball 3x3 team's coaching staff and players prior to the 2028 LA Olympics, the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and other major international competitions.

"USA Basketball was an important part of my on-court career for a decade and a half. To have the opportunity to continue my journey with the organization, and to help shape and grow the 3x3 program, is something that I take very seriously," Delle Donne said. "I'm excited to get started."

Delle Donne's new position is the 3x3 version of fellow WNBA icon Sue Bird's role, as the newly minted Hall of Famer became the managing director of the USA Basketball women's 5x5 arm in May.

"To now think that I'm going to be on the other side of the phone letting someone know that their dream has come true and they've made the team is going to be such a fulfilling, full circle moment for me," Delle Donne said.