Serena Williams surprised by Elena Rybakina at French Open
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/property/210606162840-02-serena-williams-elena-rybakina-0606-super-tease.jpg
Williams’ defeat means her quest to equal Margaret Court docket’s document of 24 grand slams continues.
The American, who misplaced 6-3 7-5 to Rybakina, hasn’t made it previous the fourth spherical on the clay at Roland Garros since 2016.
She’s going to now flip her consideration to Wimbledon — the third grand slam of the season — which is performed on grass and begins on June 28.
“I am form of excited to change surfaces, however traditionally I’ve performed fairly properly on grass,” stated Williams, who’s a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion.
“I’ve performed fairly properly on clay too. Simply not this specific season.”
Her victory over Williams ensured the 21-year-old Rybakina superior to her first grand slam quarterfinal.
“I’m so pleased with my match, it was superb,” stated Rybakina, who will now play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a semifinal spot.
“I used to be small, after all I used to be watching her matches on TV,” added Rybakina of Williams.
When Williams received her first grand slam title on the US Open in 1999, Rybakina was simply two months outdated.
“It is troublesome to count on something, since you watch on TV and that is utterly totally different if you come on court docket and you’re feeling the ability and every little thing,” stated the world No. 22.
“I knew that the serve was going to be troublesome for me to return. She’s highly effective, however I used to be prepared. Then after few factors I felt it snug, so nothing.”
Federer is focusing on a ninth Wimbledon title on his favourite grass court docket floor later this month.