Serena Williams rallies with her coach Mouratoglou ahead of her first match at the Western & Southern Open

Serena Williams is getting ready to start her run at the Western & Southern Open with the idea of getting the best possible preparation for the US Open. As usual, the American sensation will rely on the help of her long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou that flew from France to support Serena in her quest to win the elusive 24th slam.

This time Patrick went a step further and he actually shared the practice court with Serena flaunting also a rather watchable one-handed backhand. In posting a couple of videos on his Instagram stories, Patrick commented: “Decent hitting partner for me this morning @serenawilliams”

PREDICTION, H2H. Serena Arantxa vs. Arantxa Rus

Serena will face Arantxa Rus in her opening match in New York. They played each other once. The head to head is 1-0

for Williams. When they played, the American won 7-5 6-3 in the 1^st round in London (Wimbledon) in July 2018.

Serena Williams in 2020

Now ranked no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 14^th of August when she capitulated to Shelby Rogers 1-6 6-4 7-6⁵ in the quarter in Lexington.

Currently, this year Serena Williams has a 10-3 win-loss record. Serena has won 1 title in Auckland.

Rus in New York, ranking, and results in 2020

At the moment ranked no.72, the Dutch has a 16-10 win-loss record in 2020. Arantxa is playing in New York where she bested Stefanie Voegele 7-5 4-6 6-1, Nina Stojanovic 6-4 6-3 and Alison Van Uytvanck 6-2 6-3.

Rus was the finalist in the Boutheon.