Almost 30,000 fans poured through the gates at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Monday night, a tournament record.
Many of them probably assumed this would be the last time they would ever see Serena Williams compete.
But the 23-time Grand Slam champion ensured they would enjoy a chance to see her in action at least one more time at the US Open.
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In an electrifying atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams out-competed Danka Kovinic to triumph 6-3 6-3, her 107th match win at a tournament she has won six times – but not since 2014.
It sets up a blockbuster meeting with No.2 seed Anett Kontaveit, almost certain to be scheduled for Wednesday night prime time.
“At this point, honestly, everything is a bonus for me I feel. I think every opponent is very difficult… The next one is even more difficult,” said Williams, who is soon to turn 41.
“It's good that I was able to get this under my belt. I'm just not even thinking about that. I'm thinking about just this moment. I think it's good for me just to live in the moment now.”
Williams was announced onto court following a video montage, dedicated to the “Queen of Queens” and celebrating iconic moments throughout her career in New York, which further energised the sold-out crowd.
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“When I walked out, the reception was really overwhelming. It was loud and I could feel it in my chest,” she said.
“It was a really good feeling. It's a feeling I'll never forget.”
And as she arrived at match point almost two hours later, fans rose in their seats to watch it, literally on their feet – a point Williams converted to a rapturous reception.
In between, she began her 21st US Open campaign cautiously, fought her way into the match, and increasingly loosened her shoulder and arm to crack some vintage winners.
Kovinic, impressively, seemed unperturbed by the enormity of both the court – packed with 23,000 fans, as well as an impressive array of celebrities, plus tennis players, including Coco Gauff – and the occasion.
we here. watching the ?. I love you @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/VGMBT3LbUN
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) August 29, 2022
She served solidly and played aggressively, and never retreated from trading blows with Williams from the baseline.
The Montenegrin looked the likelier player in the early stages of the first set, breaking the former world No.1 and earning a game point for a 4-2 lead.
But Serena erased it, and from there took control of the set.
And when she pocketed the opener after 55 taut minutes, she visibly grew in belief.
She broke Kovinic in the fifth game of the second and maintained her advantage, rattling through the final eight points of the match to win on a resounding note.
This was a performance vastly improved when compared to her previous two outings.
The most recent came in Cincinnati, where she was overwhelmed 6-4 6-0 by reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
The week before it was a 6-4 6-2 dissection at the hands of last year’s Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.
Since returning to the sport at Wimbledon, after more than a year away, Williams had played four singles matches, and lost three.
It was perhaps why the tone and discussion surrounding her first-round match, unofficially at least, had very much the feeling of finality.
WHAT A MOMENT ⭐️?
— Danka Kovinić (@DankaKovinic) August 25, 2022
Looking forward to this ???? https://t.co/40JzsIcLGf
“I think I was really emotional in Toronto and Cincinnati. It was very difficult,” Williams reflected.
“I'm not saying it's not difficult now. It's extremely difficult still because I absolutely love being out there.
“The more tournaments I play, I feel like the more I can belong out there. That's a tough feeling to have, and to leave knowing the more you do it, the more you can shine.
“But it's time for me, you know, to evolve to the next thing.”
In a touching on-court ceremony following her victory, emcee Gayle King asked: “You will so be missed. What can we do for you?”
“Just keep coming out and supporting me as long as I'm here,” Serena answered, “and know that I love you so much and I'm so excited to be here.”
The farewell tour lives on, for at least another two nights.