PARIS: Serena Williams's bid to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam identify was once thwarted once more on Saturday when she was once knocked out of the French Open 6-2, 7-Five via US compatriot Sofia Kenin in the third spherical.
It was once 37-year-old Serena's earliest exit on the Slams since a 3rd spherical loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in 2014.
Kenin, the 20-year-old world number 35, will face 8th seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Three-time Roland Garros champion Williams was once attempting to equal Margaret Court's checklist of 24 majors.
"She played really well, especially in the first set where she hit pretty much within an inch of the line all the time," mentioned Williams.
The America veteran, who played just one clay court docket fit in Rome before struggling a knee injury in the run as much as the French Open, mentioned she had anticipated to growth additional in Paris.
"I would have anticipated to have gotten previous the third spherical. If anyone mentioned I would handiest get this far, I'd have mentioned they were a liar.
"But it is what it is."
"I have not been on the court docket up to I would have sought after to and it is been a gruelling season for me."
Kenin wasn't even born when Williams made her Paris debut in 1998.
"There's numerous feelings now," mentioned the Russian-born participant.
"Serena is the sort of great champion and I have all of the recognize for her. I had to combat for every level."
Williams, who has nonetheless so as to add to her majors assortment since she returned to the tour after giving birth to her daughter, fired 30 winners and 34 unforced errors.
Kenin committed handiest half as many.
Kenin broke two times in the first set, celebrating every mini-triumph with a 'c'mon'.
She went Three-1 forward in the second one set before Williams, the 2002, 2013 and 2015 champion, clawed her way back to Three-Three.
But Kenin grabbed what proved to be the crucial spoil in the 11th game and held her nerve to take victory on a 2nd fit level when Williams fired a backhand lengthy.
It was once 37-year-old Serena's earliest exit on the Slams since a 3rd spherical loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in 2014.
Kenin, the 20-year-old world number 35, will face 8th seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Three-time Roland Garros champion Williams was once attempting to equal Margaret Court's checklist of 24 majors.
"She played really well, especially in the first set where she hit pretty much within an inch of the line all the time," mentioned Williams.
The America veteran, who played just one clay court docket fit in Rome before struggling a knee injury in the run as much as the French Open, mentioned she had anticipated to growth additional in Paris.
"I would have anticipated to have gotten previous the third spherical. If anyone mentioned I would handiest get this far, I'd have mentioned they were a liar.
"But it is what it is."
"I have not been on the court docket up to I would have sought after to and it is been a gruelling season for me."
Kenin wasn't even born when Williams made her Paris debut in 1998.
"There's numerous feelings now," mentioned the Russian-born participant.
"Serena is the sort of great champion and I have all of the recognize for her. I had to combat for every level."
Williams, who has nonetheless so as to add to her majors assortment since she returned to the tour after giving birth to her daughter, fired 30 winners and 34 unforced errors.
Kenin committed handiest half as many.
Kenin broke two times in the first set, celebrating every mini-triumph with a 'c'mon'.
She went Three-1 forward in the second one set before Williams, the 2002, 2013 and 2015 champion, clawed her way back to Three-Three.
But Kenin grabbed what proved to be the crucial spoil in the 11th game and held her nerve to take victory on a 2nd fit level when Williams fired a backhand lengthy.
Serena's Slam history bid halted in Roland Garros shock
![Serena's Slam history bid halted in Roland Garros shock]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 02, 2019
Rating:
