Tipped by many as the favourite to win the grand slam, Serena Williams has been sent packing from the Australian Open in the third round by Chinese Wang Qiang.
The American lost 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 in a tightly contested match.
The defeat means Serena’s quest for a record equaling 24th grand slam title continues.
Serena Williams is on a record to equal and hopefully beat Margaret Court’s career record of 24 grand slam titles. She had been stuck on 23 since 2017 before having a baby.
She won the warm up competition at Auckland and really looked strong coming into the Australian Open.
Wang served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Williams broke her for the first time and then won a tie-break to level at one set all.
“After the second set I was a little bit confused, but my mind always said I had to focus on the court, on every point and trust myself,” said Wang.
Wang will next face Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the fourth round.
The last time Williams lost at this stage of the Australian Open was back in 2006 when she lost to Daniela Hantuchova.
It’s a sweet revenge for the Chinese whom Williams beat 6-1 6-0 last September at the US Open and doing it in just 44 minutes.
Wang’s confidence grew as the match wore on with her saving three break points in the sixth game of the opening set. She then began to trouble Williams with strong forehands which the American found difficult to cope with.
Wang had two chances to seal the winner much earlier in the match but missed them allowing her opponent back into the game as Williams saved two break points. She would however be undone after 56 unforced errors and a backhand into the net at the 12th and final game.