Muchova reached the third round of the US Open last year as a qualifier ranked just outside the Top 200, and has zoomed up the rankings since then due to excellent results, including reaching the quarterfinals of her Wimbledon main-draw debut. The Czech, though, could only win 36 percent of points on her second serve against Williams in their first meeting.
Williams will face No.22 seed Petra Martic of Croatia in the fourth round. Martic, who is having a breakthrough season after winning her first WTA singles title in Istanbul and reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros, dismissed No.12 seed and 2018 US Open semifinalist Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in straight sets earlier on Friday.
After holds by both players in the first two games, Williams began to impose herself on the Czech’s delivery with thunderous returning. The American held three break points in Muchova’s next two service games, but the Czech came up with fine serves and devilish volleys to eke her way out of those jams and stay with Williams through 3-3.
Williams, however, kept up her aggressive mindset, and put away a midcourt forehand in the 3-3 game to earn two more break points. The American finally converted her fourth chance overall after Muchova sent a forehand long, giving Williams a break lead at 4-3.
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