The possibility of a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam once more went begging for Serena Williams as she misplaced to China’s Wang Qiang within the third spherical of the Australian Open.
Williams, a seven-time champion in Melbourne, went right down to Chinese language quantity 27 seed Wang in three units, 6-Four 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 at Rod Laver Area.
For Williams, who was seeded eighth Down Beneath, it means she stays caught on 23 Grand Slam titles and once more misses out on the prospect to stage Australian nice Margaret Courtroom’s all-time mark of 24.
Williams, 38, final gained a Grand Slam title on the Australian Open in 2017, and has since misplaced in 4 consecutive finals – twice on the US Open and twice at Wimbledon.
Nonetheless, this time spherical in Melbourne Williams didn’t progress past the primary week, being dumped out by an impressed Wang.
The second of a LIFETIME!
Qiang Wang places on an absolute masterclass within the match of the event to shock Serena Williams 6-Four 6-7(2) 7-5 and advance to a primary profession #AusOpen spherical of 16.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/gnGkAMaU8X
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Wang took the primary set and served for the match at 5-Four within the second, however Williams fought again to drive a tie-break, which she then gained to maintain herself within the match.
The final set went with serve till the 12th sport when Wang secured an all-important break to seal the match and her passage to the following spherical.
Wang’s progress comes on the eve of Chinese language lunar New 12 months, however regardless of that reality the 28-year-old mentioned she would save any celebrations till after enterprise was over in Melbourne.
Chinese language New 12 months celebration? ??
She's devoted ? ?#AusOpen | #AO2020 pic.twitter.com/DOWt1eT1sA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
The Chinese language star’s greatest Grand Slam consequence up to now was a run to the quarterfinals of the US Open final 12 months – the place she was crushed by Williams 6-1 6-Zero – however she is going to fancy her possibilities of at the very least matching that when she takes on the unseeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia within the subsequent spherical.
In an epic, @Ons_Jabeur def. Wozniacki in her last-ever match.
She's by to the fourth spherical for the primary time in her profession with a 7-5 Three-6 7-5 victory.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RZBC8X671H
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Jabeur ended the run of former champion Caroline Wozniacki in three units of their third-round match, in what was the Dane’s final ever look at a Slam.
??????@CaroWozniacki takes one final lap of Melbourne Area to the tune of 'Candy, Caroline' ?#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/r3pIt1o86c
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Wozniacki’s good pal Williams, nevertheless, might be left to ponder whether or not she is going to ever match Courtroom’s file Grand Slam haul after one other alternative slipped by.
