Friday 12 August, 2022
The 6-2 6-4 second-round loss to Belinda Bencic at the National Bank Open followed her first singles win in more than a year.
The US Open is expected to be the 23-time grand-slam champion’s final tournament.
She secured a stunning upset against 2021 finalist Karolina Pliskova.
On her return to the Centre Court, the 40-year-old was beaten by Frenchwoman Harmony Tan last night.
Playing her first singles match for a year, Williams fell to a 7-5 1-6 7-6 (7) defeat.
Partner Ons Jabeur has withdrawn with a knee injury, and the American will now turn her attention to Wimbledon.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was speaking after her win with partner Ons Jabeur.
A leg injury at last year’s Wimbledon forced her off tour for a year and saw her ranking plummet to 1,204 in the world.
The 23-time grand-slam champion stunned the tennis world seven days ago when she announced a wild card had been awarded to her.
The former champions do not feature among the players confirmed by the All-England Club.
Jane Campion sparked fury after saying that the Tennis duo ‘do not play against the guys as I have to.’
The star revealed on Instagram that she has decided to allow her torn hamstring more time to recover fully.
The American superstar twice fell to the floor of Centre Court, struggling to get back to her feet on the second occasion.
Roger Federer and Ashleigh Barty both progressed but only after overcoming scares.
The 39-year-old has four Olympic gold medals and made her debut at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Williams took the positives after a 6-3 7-5 defeat to Elena Rybakina.
Elsewhere there were wins for Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
The US star earned a first-round 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 win over Irina-Camelia Begu.
From The42
In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek opens against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan.
The veteran American’s quest to reach a ninth Australian Open final and match Court’s 24 major singles titles ended in a 6-3, 6-4 semi-final mauling.
Williams moves one step closer to a 24th grand slam title with a 6-3 6-3 victory.
Thiem fell to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrovin in straight sets.
There was also a stunning win for lion-hearted Aslan Karatsev against Diego Schwartzman.
Williams has only lost five games in her first two matches at Melbourne Park.
Williams has to pull out of a date with world No1 Ashleigh Barry at the Yarra Valley Classic – just days before Australian Open starts.
Her wait to equal Margaret Court’s Grand Slam titles record goes on.
Rafa Nadal, meanwhile, says he will defend his title in the ‘most difficult conditions’ he has ever met at Roland Garros.
Azarenka’s first win over Williams in a grand slam event sets up her first major final appearance in seven years.
From The42
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka awaits the American in the semi-finals.
The American great edged past Tsvetana Pironkova.
Meanwhile, there was controversy as the top women’s doubles seeds were pulled from the tournament due to a close contact with a confirmed Covid case.
Williams is one title away from matching Court’s record.
Angel City will be the temporary name of the club until a formal one is decided.
The US star she struggled with her mental health after being constantly touted as the sport’s next big thing.
The greats of the men and women’s game would be very close to 40 if they chase Grand Slams into next summer.
Tennis stars have reacted with dismay to the news that Wimbledon has been cancelled for 2020.
The impact of the current pandemic is unprecedented, with sports stars sidelined worldwide.
The former world number one announced in December that this would be her final tournament.
She was sensationally knocked out in the third round by China’s Wang Qiang.
Williams beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-4 in the women’s final in New Zealand.
