Against Shelby Rogers, Serena Williams suffers rare loss to player ranked outside top 100
Top seed Serena Williams was ousted 1-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) by fellow American Shelby Rogers in Lexington on Friday.
Serena Williams – Lexington
Serena Williams crashed out of the Top Seed Open, the former world number one surprisingly beaten by world No 116 Shelby Rogers in the quarter-finals.
Williams – the top seed and 23-time grand slam champion – was ousted 1-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) by fellow American Rogers in Lexington on Friday.
The American remains positive about her performance in Lexington, despite the fact that she suffered a loss to a player ranked outside the top 100 for the first time in over eight years.
“I have only good things to take,” Williams told reporters after the match. “I can play a lot better.”
Stepping up her preparation ahead of this month’s US Open in New York, Williams overcame sister Venus in the last 16 on Thursday but the 38-year-old star was unable continue her run at the WTA International event.
Rogers – in her first meeting against Serena Williams – rallied from a set down in the all-American affair to earn a semi-final showdown with Jil Teichmann, who accounted for Cici Bellis 6-2 6-4.
Locked in a semifinal spot @Shelby_Rogers_ defeats the No.1 seed Williams, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).#TSOpen pic.twitter.com/eiMUVHlvWk
— wta (@WTA) August 14, 2020
“It was important for me going onto the court thinking I could win that match, and knowing I could take care of my service games,” Rogers said. “Because [Williams] has probably the best serve of all time, and when she wants to, she can win a point on her serve.”
Teenage sensation Coco Gauff, meanwhile, fought back from a set and a break down to top eighth seed Ons Jabeur 4-6 6-4 6-1.
Gauff trailed 6-4 4-2 but the 16-year-old American completed a thrilling comeback to reach her second WTA semi-final. The rising American improves to 9-2 lifetime in three-setters with her latest impressive triumph.
Second career WTA semifinal @Cocogauff fights back to defeat Jabeur, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.#TSOpen pic.twitter.com/l0IjQ0IdY4
— wta (@WTA) August 14, 2020
Awaiting Gauff in the final four is countrywoman Jennifer Brady, who eased past Marie Bouzkova 6-1 6-2. Brady, ranked 49, has dropped just eleven games through three rounds in Lexington.
