Tennis: Serena Williams Crashes Out of Wimbledon
Women’s tennis legend Serena Williams crashed out of Wimbledon in her first round encounter, losing 7-5 1-6 7-6 to the unseeded Harmony Tan of France after a thrilling match.
Tan, ranked 115th in the world, won the first set 7-5 against Williams before the American stormed back to take the second, dropping a solitary game in the process. The pair then battled towards a third set tie break which Tan eventually won as a weary Williams gave up an early lead to crash out after more than three hours of play.
The 24-year-old French debutant prevailed against the 23-time Grand Slam champion over three sets to secure her first career win on grass and advance to the second round at the expense of the former world number one.
“It’s a dream because, you know, I saw Serena on the TV when I was young,” Tan said. “My coach, Nathalie Tauziat, played her 20 years ago. So, yeah, it’s a big generation.”
“She’s a legend. I mean, she won 23 grand slams. When you play her, I was scared. I mean, I was scared when I was on the court, but really happy to be there.”
Tauziat, who also coaches 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, has her own history at Wimbledon, finishing as a runner-up to Jana Novotna in 1998 when Tan was less than a year old.
“She just told me enjoy because it’s your first time in Wimbledon,” Tan said of the pre-match advice given to her by Tauziat.
“You play on Centre Court against Serena. And, yeah, just enjoy the match.”
“She’s beaten a legend.”
After three hours, 10 minutes, Harmony Tan beats Serena Williams in a first round epic#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/IQst8AzXxv
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022
The Frenchwoman, who has never progressed beyond the second round of a Grand Slam, was at a loss to describe how she managed to turn the match in her favour.
“I don’t know because I play every ball like just, put some slice, some change, some variety on the game,” Tan added. “And it works today.”
CN/Reuters/Wimbledon.
