Full Match Video: Serena vs. McNally, 2019

With the current suspension of the ATP and WTA Tours, we are opening up our US Open vault to bring you full match videos of classic encounters through the years in New York. 

Serena Williams started off her run to the 2019 US Open final with a pair of early-round tests. The draw served up a devilish first-round meeting with longtime rival Maria Sharapova, but all the drama came in the prematch buildup, as Williams dismissed the Russian, 6-1, 6-1, in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

That set up an all-American second-round match against a 17-year-old Caty McNally. While Williams-McNally lacked the box office attraction of the former's opener, it delivered much more once the women took the court.

In primetime, under the lights in Ashe, McNally introduced herself to the larger tennis public by snatching the opening set against the 23-time Grand Slam singles champ. As the night wore on, the pressure and veteran poise from the No. 8-seeded Williams began to turn back her opponent's youthful challenge—but not before McNally made a name for herself as a fighter to be reckoned with in years to come.

The 7-5 opening set against McNally would be the only set Williams dropped on her way to the final; her 12-1 set record in her first six matches underlied the enormity of the performance from the Cincinnati native across the net.

Despite the loss, McNally's US Open did not end on the night. She made more headlines later in the fortnight by teaming with Coco Gauff to reach the Round of 16 in women's doubles.

The complete Williams-McNally match, along with scores of other great content, is now available to watch on the USTA YouTube channel, or below.