Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

With a possible  grand slam sweep getting major buzz as the US Open approaches, world No. 1 Serena Williams said on Tuesday she is doing all she can to keep her focus on this week’s Cincinnati Masters.

Williams is defending her title in the Midwest and will begin in the second round after losing a Toronto semi-final last weekend to Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic. The 34-year-old Williams claimed her only title in Cincinnati last year with a defeat of Ana Ivanovic.

The winner of 21 grand slam event titles is just trying to stay in the present as the pressure mounts for her to win all four grand slam event singles titles in the same year – which she could do with a title in New York.

“I don’t have to win. I want to win, but I really just look forward to playing,” she said. “I’d like to do well here, especially after a disappointing week last week. But no matter what, I would like to play technically better.”

Referring to her upcoming challenge at Flushing Meadows, Williams said: “It’s cool, even though there’s a lot of pressure. I would like to win the Open more than anybody else.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.