First round exit for Serena

Lenny Boyle

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Serena Williams Exit From French Open Biggest Shock in a Decade

It was the biggest shock in tennis in a decade. Serena Williams exited the first round of the French Open at the hands of 111 seed Virginie Razzano.

Razzano won 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 to oust Williams in the first round. It was the first time Williams had been beaten in the first round of a Slam in 47 times of asking. 

Williams did withdraw from her previous match at the Italian Open, citing back pain. But she went into the match with Razzano declaring that issue was behind her.

Her record going into the match with Razzano was 17 straight wins on clay.

Serena was 5-1 up in the second set tie breaker, so it can’t be said she didn’t have her opportunities. Razzano then remarkably won six straight points and strolled to a 5-0 lead in the next set.

The final game of the match was one of the craziest ever witnessed at Roland Garros, or anywhere else for that matter, with the American saving seven match points only to finally buckle to the French underdog.

Serena can console herself that she is still in the running in the mixed pairs, with partner Bob Bryan. But any consolation found there will be minimal.

Williams is known for the poise, domination and above all will to win she displays on court. But in this match she displayed something all too rare in the Williams’ makeup; nerves. 

Now her focus must go on recovering for Wimbledon, and the Olympics played also played at the All England Club. Some will be eager to write her off after this latest catastrophe. But as we have seen with both Williams sisters over the years; it would be perilous to do so.