Serena Williams Loses To Ana Ivanovic In Australian Open - 19 January 2014

Serena Williams after beating Dinara Safina on Roland Garos on Sunday, June 3, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ana Ivanovic serving in her 2008 Australian Open quarterfinal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Serena Williams Loses To Ana Ivanovic In Australian Open - 19 January 2014



Serena Williams went out of the Australian Open as a back injury hindered the five-time champion against a rampant Ana Ivanovic.



The Serb came back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 - her first ever victory over Williams in five attempts.



There had been reports before the match that Williams had a back problem, and so it proved.

"I almost pulled out. I'm such a competitor, I probably should have," said the world number one.

"I
don't want to blame anything. I feel like Ana deserves all the credit. I
feel she played unbelievable today. I think she went for her shots."



Williams revealed that she did not know the exact nature of her injury but had been dealing with it for "a few days".



She
added: "It's not anything that's life threatening or anything. I feel
like it will get better. I just need a couple days off.



"Unfortunately I don't have that in a Grand Slam."



The reigning French and US Open champion had been tipped by some to complete the Grand Slam of all four major titles in 2014.



"I have given up on that a long time ago," said the 32-year-old. "I feel like I don't even think about winning four in a row.



"Maybe I can win four in a row, but it seems like in the one year it's kind of difficult for me for whatever reason."



Ivanovic, 26, goes on to face Canada's Eugenie Bouchard or Casey Dellacqua of Australia in the last eight.



"It's amazing," said the 14th seed. "Honestly, I went on the court and I just wanted to play the best I could. I'm so thrilled."



"It's not easy playing such a champion, but she's also just a human and I know she has lots of pressure too

"

Ana Ivanovic

Ivanovic
is a former world number one and 2008 French Open champion, but since
then she has reached just one major quarter-final at the 2012 US Open.



A
0-4 record against Williams gave little cause for optimism either, but
from the outset Ivanovic was able to threaten the American's usually
impregnable serve.



The Serb fashioned four break points in the opening set, converting one, but was broken twice as Williams edged it.



Ivanovic
took over from that point, her once fragile serve holding up well as
Williams appeared to struggle with her movement, and she did not face
another break point.

Williams was warned for a time violation when
serving to stay in the contest and managed to save two match points ,
but Ivanovic closed it out nervelessly with a love hold after one hour
and 56 minutes.



"I was very consistent," added Ivanovic.



"It's not easy playing such a champion, but she's also just a human and I know she has lots of pressure too.



"I just went out there swinging and I think I did that really well."



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