Jason HeimTennis: Suarez Navarro Defeats Venus Williams At Australian Open
January 23rd 2009 00:09
Category: Tennis
Venus Williams' Australian Open campaign came to a shock end on Thurday night, at the hands of unheralded Spanish baseliner Carla Suarez Navarro on Rod Laver Arena. Williams, the No 6 seed, entered the tournament as favourite with most bookmakers on the back of recent wins over some of the world's best players plus her enviable grand slam record.
But 20-year-old Suarez Navarro, playing her first Australian Open, upstaged the seven-time grand slam winner with some incredible tennis to win their second round clash 2-6 6-3 7-5.
The American could do little but give credit to her opponent.
"I've seen her play before, but obviously she played very well, one of her best matches she ever played," Williams said.
"When you go out on the court you've got to expect anything, so everyone out here's professional and capable of playing so I'm not surprised at how well she played."
The biggest surprise was the way Suarez Navarro stood up at the crucial stages while the experienced Williams faltered.
Williams served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set and held a match point on her opponent's serve in the following game.
But the Spanish youngster showed remarkable poise to stave off those challenges and reel off the last five games of the match, clinching victory on her second match point.
It was the first time in three years Williams had fallen at such an early stage of a grand slam event, her least successful campaign since being ousted by Tsvetana Pironkova in the opening round of the 2006 Australian Open.
"Losing's never the best fun, to say the least, but fortunately I've also had a lot of great wins too so hopefully that will balance it out," she said.
Oddly, sister Serena could end up being a beneficiary of the loss as the pair, who had been vying for tournament favouritism, had the potential to meet in a semi-final.
Suarez Navarro struggled to explain her amazing win or how she had turned things around after Williams dominated the opening set.
"I don't know what I do, I only play, I don't know what to say," she said.
The diminutive Spaniard - giving away a 23cm height advantage - had looked out-gunned early, but stepped up her game to control many of the rallies in the final two sets.
A French Open quarter-finalist in her grand slam debut last year, she produced some spectacular shot-making, using heavy top-spin on both sides of her body.
She also played nerveless tennis in the final games, as Williams threw in some untimely errors.
Suarez Navarro meets another Spanish player, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, in the third round.
AAP
But 20-year-old Suarez Navarro, playing her first Australian Open, upstaged the seven-time grand slam winner with some incredible tennis to win their second round clash 2-6 6-3 7-5.
The American could do little but give credit to her opponent.
"I've seen her play before, but obviously she played very well, one of her best matches she ever played," Williams said.
"When you go out on the court you've got to expect anything, so everyone out here's professional and capable of playing so I'm not surprised at how well she played."
Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro celebrating match point after defeating Venus Williams
The biggest surprise was the way Suarez Navarro stood up at the crucial stages while the experienced Williams faltered.
Williams served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set and held a match point on her opponent's serve in the following game.
But the Spanish youngster showed remarkable poise to stave off those challenges and reel off the last five games of the match, clinching victory on her second match point.
It was the first time in three years Williams had fallen at such an early stage of a grand slam event, her least successful campaign since being ousted by Tsvetana Pironkova in the opening round of the 2006 Australian Open.
"Losing's never the best fun, to say the least, but fortunately I've also had a lot of great wins too so hopefully that will balance it out," she said.
Oddly, sister Serena could end up being a beneficiary of the loss as the pair, who had been vying for tournament favouritism, had the potential to meet in a semi-final.
Suarez Navarro struggled to explain her amazing win or how she had turned things around after Williams dominated the opening set.
"I don't know what I do, I only play, I don't know what to say," she said.
The diminutive Spaniard - giving away a 23cm height advantage - had looked out-gunned early, but stepped up her game to control many of the rallies in the final two sets.
A French Open quarter-finalist in her grand slam debut last year, she produced some spectacular shot-making, using heavy top-spin on both sides of her body.
She also played nerveless tennis in the final games, as Williams threw in some untimely errors.
Suarez Navarro meets another Spanish player, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, in the third round.
AAP
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