John Minchillo/AP
Serena Williams was beaten in three sets by Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open.
Serena Williams has bowed out of the US Open in what is expected to be the last match of her phenomenal career.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner was beaten in three sets by Australia’s Alja Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the third round on Saturday (NZ time).
Williams recently announced she was set to retire at the age of 41, with the last major event of the tennis season expected to be her swansong.
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As their incredible doubles career likely ended, the crowd rose to their feet for Serena and Venus Williams.
Williams served for the first set at 5-3 but was broken and then lost the next three games as well to surrender the advantage.
She also held a substantial lead in the second set but faltered again before winning the tie-breaker to take the match to a deciding set to the joy of the packed New York crowd.
– more to come
