The Belgian smacked 24 winners and saved all six break points she faced to dispatch the veteran American, who she reveres. The hard-hitting Minnen would break the next game at love and cruise to victory in the match that lasted just 75 minutes. Even when I hit really amazing shots, she just hit a winner or a dropshot, so I don't think I played badly. "I was very much aware that Serena wouldn't be playing the tournament, so I think I was okay. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Venus Williams, Belgium's, Minnen, Shannon Stapleton, Venus, Williams, it's, Serena, Serena wouldn't, I've, Rory Carroll, Muralikumar Organizations: Tennis, Minnen REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belgian, Flushing Meadows, Los Angeles