Serena Williams will open up her campaign for her third Cincinnati title when she faces Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus in the second round of the 2020 Western & Southern Open on Monday, August 24. This match will be scheduled soon. Get the live streaming options of this Serena Williams v Arantxa Rus match along with its preview, head to head and tips here.
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Serena Williams v Arantxa Rus Head to Head
Serena Williams leads the head-to-head 1-0 having won the pair’s only meeting in the first round of Wimbledon championships in 2017.
Williams’ Journey To Greatness Begins
Serena Williams’ quest for a record-equaling 24th Major title will resume in two weeks time at the forthcoming US Open. But before she gets there, she will bid to claim a third Western & Southern Open crown when she plays Dutch qualifier Arantxa Rus in the second round.
The 38-year-old made her return to tennis at last week’s Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky, but she stumbled in the quarterfinal stage, losing to fellow American Shelby Rogers in three sets. It was Williams’ third tournament participation this year, and her fitness was glaringly obvious to see as she battled through her opening two rounds.
Williams’ first tournament this year ended a three-year drought of a first title since becoming a mother. She won the ASB Classic in Auckland, meaning that she has now won a WTA title in four different decades. However, she was unable to repeat that feat at the Australian Open – the scene of her last major title triumph – where she was stunned in the third round by Qiang Wang.
Rus Picked Up A Main Draw Debut Win
Arantxa Rus produced a thoroughly dominant straight sets win against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round to pick up her maiden main draw win at the first attempt in the event.
The Dutchwoman might fancy her chances at the prospect of facing Williams who is short on match fitness. Rus is playing in her third straight tournament, and has been a busy fixture in doubles where she captured the Palermo Ladies Open alongside Tamara Zidansek.
After a stellar run in the ITF circuit last year, Rus is close to matching her career-best ranking. She won 10 singles titles and is currently ranked at No.72 in the world – just 11 spots down from her career-high.
What Rus would hope to do is get the early momentum in the match and while Serena is a champion player and should still win, the Dutchwoman could still hold little chance if she can get quickly off the blocks.
Williams v Rus Prediction & Tip
Serena might take time again to adjust to the conditions and the opponent given how she struggled mightily in Lexington last week. However, when she gets her coordination and serve right, it is hard to see Rus living with her.
Tip: Serena to win in three sets: 3/1 (bet365)
You can watch & bet on the Cincinnati Open on Monday, August 24 here. Get the latest tennis predictions and tips here.
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