American professional tennis player Serena Williams' long
winning streak came to an end in an upset 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss to Ana Ivanovic in
the fourth round of the Australian Open on Sunday. Williams hadn't lost a
match
since August, one of only four defeats in 2013, and came into the fourth round
with 25 straight wins.
It was her 70th match at Melbourne Park, a record in the
Open era, and she'd already set the mark for most match wins ever at the
Australian Open with her third-round victory.
Ivanovic hadn't won a set in her four previous matches
against Williams, who was a hot favorite to win a sixth Australian Open crown
for her 18th Grand Slam title. Williams has been almost perfect after winning
the first set in Australian Open matches, losing only once in 52 previous
matches after winning the opening set.
But No. 14-seeded Ivanovic got on top early in the second
set with some stunning forehand winners and never really let Williams back into
the contest. The 2008 French Open champion, won by attacking the best serve in
women's tennis, frequently standing well inside the baseline to receive.
"It's not easy, you know, playing such a champion ...
but she is also just a human and I know she has lots of pressure, too."
Ivanovic said. "I just went out there swinging at the ball." Ivanovic
had 33 winners, including 20 on her forehand side.
Williams hit 22 winners but made 31 unforced errors. The
other quarterfinal will feature two women who'll turn 32 next month, with
two-time finalist finalist Li Na beating No. 22 Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-0 and
No. 28 Flavia Pennetta upsetting No. 9 Angelique Kerber 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.
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