Serena Williams extended her farewell in the US Open with a gutsy opening triumph on an exciting night in New York filled with hope and celebration.

Williams, due to retire after the tournament, defeated Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-3, 6-3.

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A nearly 25,000-person crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered on their idol, and she answered in typical form.

On Wednesday, Williams, 40, will face Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who is one shy of Australia’s all-time record, is also competing in the doubles with her older sister Venus, adding another exciting element to what she hopes will be a long goodbye this weekend.

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Her first task was to defeat Kovinic, who was ranked 80th in the world, and there was a deafening roar as she took the first of three match points to ensure her singles career was not finished.

When Kovinic’s return struck the net, Williams rose to her feet and danced in the centre of the court, blowing kisses to her fans.

Williams has long been more than a tennis player, and her announcement of retirement in an essay for the luxury fashion magazine Vogue was a reflection of her standing as an American icon and one of the world’s most recognisable sports stars.

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Although the former world number one did not use the word “retirement,” choosing to state she was “evolving away” from the sport, there is no doubt that her sparkling career will come to a close this weekend at her home major.

It was fitting that it was a night of stardom and elegance for what could have been her final match.

Williams emerged on the court to a rousing greeting, just seconds after the stadium had watched a film montage honouring her achievements as a player and a person.

Kovinic had already arrived in court, leaving her with a long – and likely nervous – wait next to her chair.

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Spike Lee, who called Williams his “little sister” in an earlier video, participated in the coin toss, while Vogue editor Anna Wintour, another close friend, sat in a support box behind the player’s family.

The stadium cameras also captured former US President Bill Clinton, soul singer Gladys Knight, boxer Mike Tyson, and model Bella Hadid.

Olympia Williams sat in the front row, opposite her father Alexis and in front of grandma Oracene, wearing white beads in her hair in tribute to her mother’s look when she won the US Open in 1999.

The entire family jumped to their feet when Williams clinched a victory that will live in the memory for those who saw it.

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But it was not over quite yet. Television host Gayle King came out onto the court to lead another celebration, firstly joined at the microphone by Billie Jean King – another pioneering American tennis legend who paid a warm tribute – and then Williams herself.

“I didn’t expect any of this,” Williams said. “I always have to do the best that I can. I have always felt so comfortable here.

“The crowd was crazy! It really helped pull me through. I was really pumped. I thought ‘I got this,'” she added.