Six-time champion Serena Williams got the better of number two seed Anett Kontaveit in a three-set thriller to make it to the third round of women's singles event in the US Open, according to media reports.

Serena won 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2.

The US star was much more consistent before 29,959 fans that included Tiger Woods and sister Venus Williams.

Serena won her first-set tiebreak with two serves, the second being an ace outside.

But Kontaveit bounced back to take the second set.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena broke Kontaveit's serve "when the Estonian's forehand soared long."

Just when Serena was on the verge of taking a 3-0 lead, Kontaveit was back converting her second break point. But Serena again broke Kontaveit at 3-1 and saved a break point to take a 5-2 lead.

Serena has 75-2 record in the second round at Grand Slams with losses against Venus at the 1998 Australian Open and Garbine Muguruza at 2014 French Open.