Serena Williams has admitted a degree of pressure as a calendar Grand Slam edges closer, but claimed that the weight of expectation is not hindering her on the quest.
The world number one advanced into the fourth round of the US Open with a 3-6 7-5 6-0 win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands today to move four victories shy of achieving the clean sweep, having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2015.
Asked during her post-match press conference whether or not she feels pressure, Williams, the defending champion at Flushing Meadows, said: "I mean, of course it's there. I'm not a robot or anything.
"But at the end of the day I'm just here to do the best I can. If that means I win, then great.
"But if it doesn't, then you know what? I can't let that affect me because I still have other tournaments to play."
Should she go all the way, Williams, who faces Madison Keys in the next round, would become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to achieve the feat.
She would also match Graf's 22 Grand Slam titles.
Shane Callaghan
