PARIS (AFP) – Serena Williams suffered her earliest Grand Slam exit since 2014 when she crashed out of the French Open on Saturday, ending her bid to win a record-equalling 24th major, just hours after world number one Naomi Osaka also suffered a shock defeat.
Williams was beaten 6-2, 7-5 by US compatriot Sofia Kenin, who wasn’t even born when the American legend made her Paris debut in 1998, in the third round.
Serena Williams (AP Photo/Christophe Ena )
Top seed Osaka’s hopes of winning a third successive Grand Slam ended when she was knocked out by unheralded Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-2.
Their losses mean that 14 of the top 20 seeds in the women’s draw have failed to make the second week in Paris.
It was 37-year-old Serena’s earliest exit at the Slams since a third round loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in 2014.
Osaka, the reigning US and Australian Open champion, said losing to 42nd-ranked Siniakova may have been a blessing in disguise.
‘‘Losing is probably the best thing that could have happened,’’ said 21-year-old Osaka.
‘‘I felt very tired. I had headaches, maybe that’s the stress. I felt there was a weight on me. This hasn’t been the happiest of times.’’
Serena Williams (AP Photo/Christophe Ena )
Top seed Osaka’s hopes of winning a third successive Grand Slam ended when she was knocked out by unheralded Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-2.
Their losses mean that 14 of the top 20 seeds in the women’s draw have failed to make the second week in Paris.
It was 37-year-old Serena’s earliest exit at the Slams since a third round loss to Alize Cornet at Wimbledon in 2014.
Osaka, the reigning US and Australian Open champion, said losing to 42nd-ranked Siniakova may have been a blessing in disguise.
‘‘Losing is probably the best thing that could have happened,’’ said 21-year-old Osaka.
‘‘I felt very tired. I had headaches, maybe that’s the stress. I felt there was a weight on me. This hasn’t been the happiest of times.’’