<p>Serena Williams continues her protracted pursuit of a record-equalling 24th singles Grand Slam title on day two of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.</p>.<p>It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia.</p>.<p>The 38-year-old has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty-handed.</p>.<p>She needs one more to equal Margaret Court's record and starts her latest bid against the 96th-ranked Kristie Ahn at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.</p>.<p>Williams's chances of matching Court, and breaking out of a tie with Chris Evert for most US Open women's titles with six, should be improved by the absence of several top players because of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> concerns or injury.</p>.<p>World number one Ashleigh Barty, the second-ranked Simona Halep and Canadian Bianca Andreescu -- who stunned Williams in last year's final -- are all absent from the behind-closed-doors tournament.</p>.<p>Also up on Tuesday is former men's world number one and 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray.</p>.<p>The Scotsman, who is battling back from a string of injuries that have ravaged the past three years of his career, takes on Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.</p>.<p>The men's second and third seeds, Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev respectively start their quests for a first Grand Slam title on Tuesday.</p>.<p>They are high up in the draw due to the absence of Rafael Nadal, over coronavirus fears, and Swiss legend Roger Federer due to injury.</p>.<p>In the women's competition, second seed Sofia Kenin takes on Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium and in a "Battle of Britain" contest ninth seed Johanna Konta is up against Heather Watson.</p>
<p>Serena Williams continues her protracted pursuit of a record-equalling 24th singles Grand Slam title on day two of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.</p>.<p>It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia.</p>.<p>The 38-year-old has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty-handed.</p>.<p>She needs one more to equal Margaret Court's record and starts her latest bid against the 96th-ranked Kristie Ahn at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.</p>.<p>Williams's chances of matching Court, and breaking out of a tie with Chris Evert for most US Open women's titles with six, should be improved by the absence of several top players because of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> concerns or injury.</p>.<p>World number one Ashleigh Barty, the second-ranked Simona Halep and Canadian Bianca Andreescu -- who stunned Williams in last year's final -- are all absent from the behind-closed-doors tournament.</p>.<p>Also up on Tuesday is former men's world number one and 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray.</p>.<p>The Scotsman, who is battling back from a string of injuries that have ravaged the past three years of his career, takes on Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.</p>.<p>The men's second and third seeds, Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev respectively start their quests for a first Grand Slam title on Tuesday.</p>.<p>They are high up in the draw due to the absence of Rafael Nadal, over coronavirus fears, and Swiss legend Roger Federer due to injury.</p>.<p>In the women's competition, second seed Sofia Kenin takes on Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium and in a "Battle of Britain" contest ninth seed Johanna Konta is up against Heather Watson.</p>