Katarina Srebotnik caused the biggest upset of the 2008 French Open so far on Friday as she knocked out title favorite and eight-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
Williams, who was seeded fifth, fell during the third round of play in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Roland Garros will now have a new female champion as Williams was the only former winner in the women’s draw.
In their three previous meetings, Serena dominated 3-0, although in their last match on clay at the Family Circle Cup in April, Srebotnik took the opening set before Serena won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Williams managed to save two match points at 4-5 in the second set today before a cross court forehand flew wide, handing Katarina Srebotnik the biggest win of her career.
No. 27 seed Srebotnik will play either Emilie Loit or No. 10 seed Patty Schnyder in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
For more information about Katarina Srebotnik, please read this guest article by Tomaz Mencinger.
I saw this game.
I have to admit its probably the worst of Serena I have lived to see.
Errors everywhere.
And I dare she completely came into this, like “I just need to turn up”.
Serena was a ghost of herself, but credits to Kat, she simply took her chances, and tbh this was like Serena that Ju destroyed on this surface some months back.
Something about the French gets at Serena…:)
[...] play either Emilie Loit or tenth seed Patty Schnyder in the fourth round at Roland Garros. (via OTB, AP; photo via Tennis [...]
I’m so happy Serena lost. She’s so annoying and arrogant. I hope Venus loses soon too. Hopefully, they both exit out of Wimbledon and U.S. Open early too this summer.
[...] in the day, Serena Williams was upset in three sets by Katarina Srebotnik of [...]
I have to agree with drift. I was happy they lost also, Serena is a great player but she is very arrogant, the way that she was saying that she was “just ready to win the french” after Rome was annoying. Why was everyone saying she was the favorite anyways? She was playing good on clay but it wasn’t like she had the most amazing/best results.
I don’t think they well lose as early at the USO or Wimbledon though but i guess we can hope.