Serena Williams' hopes of winning a 24th grand slam title faded as she crashed out of the Australian Open in the third round on Friday. She lost 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 to China's Wang Qiang.
Serena struggled in the match against Qiang as she converted just one of her break chances and made 56 unforced errors.
Wang, who made just 20 unforced errors, had faced Serena in the US Open last year, but went down to the former champion 6-1, 6-0. However, she played flawlessly to get the better of the American at Melbourne Park.
Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki ended her campaign at her last tournament in tears with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 loss to Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. The former world number one had announced last month that the Australian Open would be her last tournament.
The Danish player made her professional debut in 2005 and has won 30 WTA titles. She won her sole grand slam in 2018 at the Australian Open.
“Only fitting that my last match was a three-setter, a grinder, and I finished my career with a forehand error. Those are the things I've been working on my whole career,” joked Wozniacki before adding, “Guess this is just how it was meant to be.”
She had made the decision to call it a day in order to start a family with husband and former NBA star David Lee.
“I usually don't cry. I have special memories that I will cherish, it's been a great ride,” said Wozniacki. “But I am ready for the next chapter, ready for what's to come.”
With inputs from agencies
