Serena Williams Scores First Round Win at 2016 US Open
Williams looks for redemption after her 2015 U.S. Open semi-final loss.
— -- Tennis superstar Serena Williams looked as comfortable as ever as she notched her first singles win of the 2016 U.S. Open on Tuesday night against Russia's Ekaterina Makarova.
Williams is no stranger to victory at Flushing Meadows. The world's top-ranked female player had 12 aces in 18 games and won the opening match in straight sets, making that her 80th win in Arthur Ashe stadium.
Williams has raised the U.S. Open trophy a total of six times, and if she can do it again this year, the Wimbledon champion would add a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title next to her name.
Her first Grand Slam title came at the early age of 17 at the U.S. Open, and Williams has been a mainstay at the tournament ever since.
"Winning back then in 1999 was something I'll never forget," Williams told ESPN Tuesday evening. "I always dreamt of winning here on this court and every time I step out here is super special."
After losing in the third round of this summer's Rio Olympic games, the four-time gold medalist took a wild-card berth into the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati last week and later withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
But if Tuesday's match is any indication of what to expect from Williams, she may find herself back on center court vying for yet another title.
"I haven't been able to play much since Wimbledon, I was just happy that I was able to make it out here to the Open so everyday I'll just see how it goes," said Williams.
The U.S. Open marks Williams' first big tournament since the upset in Rio, and after she fell short in last year's shocking U.S. Open semi-final match against Italian player Roberta Vinci, she is looking for redemption.
But for the moment, Williams is still savoring her first win at this year's Open.
"I love coming out here in this New York crowd," she said. "It's really -- it's super special I love it here!"
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