NALASAP ni seven-time champion Serena Williams ang dramatic exit sa Australian Open makaraang silatin ni Wang Qiang ng China, 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5, sa third round ng women’s tournament open.
Gumanti si Wang, dinispatsa ni Williams, 6-1, 6-0, sa U.S. Open quarterfinals, sa Rod Laver Arena upang tapusin ang kampanya ng American para sa record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
Isang araw bago ang Chinese New Year, ang 27th seed na si Wang ay may pag-aalinlangan nang mag-serve para sa match sa 5-4 sa second set subalit nalusutan ang pressure sa decider.
Ito ang pinakamaagang pagkakasibak ni Williams sa unang Grand Slam ng taon magmula noong 2006, nang tapusin ni Daniela Hantuchova ang kanyang title defense.
“I think my team always believe I can do it,” wika ni Wang on-court. “After last (I played Serena), I did really hard work on the court and off the court, it’s really good work and I believed I could do it.
“During the second set I was a little bit confused but in my mind I knew I had to focus on the court, focus on every point.”
Makakasagupa ni Wang sa fourth round si Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, na sinibak ang kaibigan ni Williams at dating world number one Caroline Wozniacki.
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