Serena Williams crashes out; Ekaterina Makarova advances to the quarters – Australian Open 2012
American number one, Serena Williams, displayed dismal performance against the Russian rising star, Ekaterina Makarova and eventually suffered a 2-6, 3-6 loss at the Australian Open 2012 on Monday. Makarova on the other hand secured a final eight spot at this first Grand Slam event of the season taking place at the Melbourne Park in Australia.
American veteran failed to grab her fifth Australian Open title after being dumping by Makarova in an hour and 22 minutes long epic battle. She appeared sluggish throughout the match and said, “It was definitely hot out there….. I guess I just didn’t move the way I wanted to. I tried.”
The unseeded Russian on the other hand broke Williams’ serve five times to not only avenge her loss at the China Open three years ago but also levelled the head-to-head series by 1-1 against the American.
"I don't know what to say! It's just an amazing feeling," said the Russian after her match.
12th seed confidently entered at the Rod Laver Arena and held serve in the opening game. However, after she held her serve in the third game, Williams stepped off gas and lost the following five games in a row. The American failed to cash in the lone break chance she found and was unsuccessful in saving the only breakpoint she came across, ultimately suffering a 2-6 loss.
Williams flashed her old self in the following set and broke the Russian’s serve in the second game to go 2-0 up. However, she lost her track again and committed 20 unforced errors to trail.
56th Ranked Makarova on the other hand took full advantage of this and snatched her break back in the third game. Later, she maintained her composure and broke the American’s serve two more times to clinch the set with a 6-3 win.
“I think she played really well,” Williams said of her opponent. “She went for broke on a lot of her shots. I made 37 errors. That kind of tells the story of the match.”
American ace was number one at the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings in October 2010; however, injuries ruled her out for most of the following season. She made a final showdown at the US Open (lost to Samantha Stosur) before playing her first match of 2012 at the Brisbane International.
The unseeded Russian upset the 25th seed, Kaia Kanepi, and the seventh seed, Vera Zvonareva, before meeting the American. She will next face the winner of the match between a former world number, Maria Sharapova, and the 14th seed, Sabine Lisicki of Germany.
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