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- Serena Williams has said she does not remember the umpire she called a "liar" and a "thief" during the 2018 US Open final.
- Williams accused Carlos Ramos of sexism following her straight-sets defeat to Naomi Osaka last year. The Portuguese umpire won’t be officiating any of her matches at this year’s tournament.
- "I don’t know who that is." Williams told reporters after her first round win over Maria Sharapova at this summer’s tournament.
- Williams demolished Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 in under an hour to set up a second round tie with wildcard Caty McNally, whom she faces on Wednesday.
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Serena Williams has said she does not remember the chair umpire she branded a "liar" and a "thief" at the US Open last year.
Williams was given three code violations by Carlos Ramos during her straight sets loss to Naomi Osaka in 2018’s dramatic final.
The violations were for coaching, smashing her racket, and for calling Ramos a "thief"— an outburst that saw her docked a game. After the defeat she accused Ramos of sexism, and vowed to continue fighting for "women’s rights and for women’s equality."
However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion now says that she cannot recall Ramos, despite the pair’s heated exchange.
"I don’t know who that is." Williams told reporters, according to The Washington Post, when asked about Ramos after her first round demolition of Maria Sharapova at this summer’s tournament.
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Williams beat Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 in under an hour, Monday, in what was her 19th straight victory over the Russian.
The 37-year-old hit an impressive 16 winners and saved all five of Sharapova’s break points to ensure passage to the second round, where she will face wildcard Caty McNally, 17.
"[Sharapova’s] game really matches up well against mine," Williams said after the victory. "Her ball somehow lands in my strike zone. It’s just perfect for me.
"I was able to zone in, especially down breakpoints, not letting her in the match. She’s the kind of player that keeps going. Even towards the end, she just wants to keep fighting."
Williams faces McNally on Wednesday.
Carlos Ramos will not be present, with the Portuguese chairman banned from officiating matches involving Williams or her sister Venus at the 2019 US Open.
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See Also:
- Photos show what the world’s top tennis players looked like when their careers started
- Coco Gauff’s father says he doesn’t think his 15-year-old tennis star daughter is a ‘prodigy’
- 15-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff said her family had to go to the police after somebody followed their car
Source: Business Insider – blane@businessinsider.com (Barnaby Lane)