Retirement will wait.
By winning against the modest Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (6-3, 6-3), Serena Williams postponed the hour of farewell in front of 23,800 fans who only had eyes for her.
Sequined black outfit, hair styled in a lioness mane, the 40-year-old American put on a show on the Arthur Ashe, failing to produce great tennis.
Next obstacle, and not least the world number two, the Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
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Mike Tyson COREY SIPKIN / AFP
Images of the six-time US Open winner's greatest moments paraded Monday night.
The crowd gave him a deafening ovation, chanting "
GOAT
" ("
Greatest of all time
", "
the greatest of all time
").
In the stands, the stars were out (Lindsey Vonn, Bill Clinton, Hugh Jackman, Spike Lee or even Mike Tyson).
After her victory, Serena was treated to a second ceremony.
With a speech by the icon Bilie Jean King, dressed in pink for the occasion "
because it's your favorite color
", and a giant tifo "
We love Serena
" which moved the former world number one.
Bill Clinton MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS
Spike Lee ELSA / AFP