NEW YORK -- For at least two days, a critical piece of the debate over Serena Williams vs. Roger Federer as all-time greats has reached a delightful impasse.
Williams' 6-2, 6-1 fourth-round victory over Johanna Larsson was her 307th Grand Slam singles match win -- precisely the same number as a certain Swiss superstar. They are now ahead of every other man and woman who has ever played tennis.
Previously, Williams was tied with Martina Navratilova at 306.
"Wow," she said, laughing, when she was informed of this development during her on-court interview. "That's pretty awesome."
If Williams can beat Yaroslava Shvedova in the fourth round (she's done it all four times they've met), the world No. 1 will be alone at the top.
A few more takeaways while the six-time US Open champion and her followers contemplate her place in history:
Big-bang ending: This was another fairly flawless performance, punctuated by Williams' winning the final 14 points of the match. She was somber -- dare we say serene? -- as she approached the net to shake hands with Larsson. That suggests Williams is really dialed in.
Another clean Week 1 run: Despite the numerous dramatic turns in her life, Williams has been remarkably consistent early in hard-court majors. This, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info: Serena has won 57 consecutive matches in the first week of those circumstances and has an overall record of 93-4. The only time since the turn of the century she's lost one came in 2006, when she fell to Daniela Hantuchova in the third round of the Australian Open. The only time Serena hasn't advanced to the fourth round here at the US Open came in 1998, her first, at the age of 16.
The No. 1 ranking is in grave danger: If No. 2 Angelique Kerber wins her Sunday quarterfinal with Petra Kvitova, Williams might well have to beat her in the championship final to stay on top. At the moment, she needs to at least reach the semifinals to have a chance of keeping it. Williams needed an early exit from Kerber -- who is defending only a third-round appearance from a year ago -- in order to breathe a little easier. Kerber, who beat Williams in the Australian Open final back in January, has won all six sets she's played, including one 6-0 bagel earlier in the tournament and a 6-1, 6-1 win over Catherine Bellis in the third round Friday.
Yes to this dress: Williams unveiled the day-glo version of her NikeCourt Power dress ($130). The dress is fairly simple: white, cut close the shoulders, with fuchsia pleats. The matching, detachable sleeves, however, were somewhat dazzling. "Yeah," Williams said, "they're my Wonder Woman sleeves, Super Woman."