The number eight seed, who has never won the Australian Open but did reach the final in 2003, was defeated 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 19 minutes at the Rod Laver arena by a dominant display from Konta, who has now beaten several big-name players in the past year as she has surged up the rankings.
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“It all started here – this is where I played my first Grand Slam right on this court and I’m still going, it’s such an honor”, said Williams, who has a 70-9 win-loss record at Melbourne Park since her debut in 1998.
“I think I played unbelievable – the fifth set from the break that he made me, I just started hitting winners”. “I was like, ‘Yay”.
“She was definitely a tricky opponent but it was a good match for me to play someone like that”.
Serena Williams easily dismissed her second round opponent Hsieh Su-Wei to progress to the third round.
She dropped two service games in the first set, including once when serving at 5-1, but was otherwise consistent except for some over-hit ground strokes. “That’s always something – especially when it’s like in the hand-wrist area – that is in the back of your mind even though you’re feeling it. I felt really good and confident today about it”. She reached the tournament second week as a qualifier in 2008, but had only won two matches here since.
Eighth seed Venus Williams has provided Australian Open fans with the shock of the tournament so far after she was bundled out by World No. 47 Johanna Konta of Britain here on Tuesday.
“When the draw came out and I saw who I was playing I was like ‘Well, OK, I just hope to stay out there more than an hour, ‘” Konta said.
“It’s tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it”, Nadal said.
Sharapova raced out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set, before Sasnovich broke back to get the score to 4-1.
“No it (her knee) hasn’t been bothering me in a long time”.
Konta denied that 35-year-old Williams’ age had anything to do with the American’s laboured display.
Earlier, No. 13 Milos Raonic followed up his win over Roger Federer in the final of the Brisbane International tuneup event with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Lucas Pouille, and No. 32 Joao Sousa beat Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
The six-time Australian Open champion appeared at ease after a second two-set victory at the major tournament.
“Very happy, conditions are extremely quick”, he said. I think it’s irrelevant how old she is because she’s such a champion with so much experience and so much knowledge about the game.
“It’s always great support from Michael”. “I thought, ‘You’re down, keep playing”.
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Williams’ US Open nemesis, 12th seed Vinci, also advanced, beating American Irina Falconi 6-2 6-3.
