Serena Williams’ wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after the American was beaten 6-3 7-5 by an inspired Elena Rybakina in the French Open fourth round on Sunday.
From the moment the 21-year-old Rybakina, playing in only her seventh Grand Slam main draw, held her opening two service games without dropping a point, Williams looked in peril.
And so it proved as seventh seed Williams bowed out to add yet another twist to a wildly unpredictable women’s event.
With so many big names having fallen, including Victoria Azarenka early in the day, a prospective quarterfinal opponent for Williams, the path to the final looked enticing.
But Williams, wh…
Keep on reading: Serena stunned by Rybakina in French Open fourth round