Top Seed Open: Serena Williams Loses To Shelby Rogers; Coco Gauff In Semis

Top-seeded Serena Williams was defeated by the world No. 116 Shelby Rogers as she crashed out of the Top Seed Open in Lexington. Rogers got the best of Williams 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinals. Williams was expected to advance to the semi-finals after her brilliant show in the initial games of the tournament. She will now target the upcoming US Open.

In her entire career, Former No. 1 Williams, 38, has played 967 singles matches as a professional and only lost four times against opponents ranked outside the WTA top 100. This is also the first time she recorded a loss to an opponent outside of the WTA top 100 in eight years, cbssports reported. Twenty-seven-year-old Rogers, however, reached her first WTA semifinal this time since 2016. “It’s every kid’s dream when they’re growing up, watching her play, to be able to do something like that,” Rogers said after the winning match. “Weird circumstances, weird setting, but a win is a win and I know we’re all just happy to be back playing.” This was also Rogers' first Top 10 victory since the 2017 Australian Open, where she silenced then No. 4 Simona Halep.

"I kind of made it difficult for myself by making a plethora of unforced errors," Williams said.

What You Should Know

• Shelby Rogers defeated top seed Serena Williams. 
• This is the first time Williams recorded a loss to an opponent outside of the WTA top 100 in eight years.
• Also, Cori Coco Gauff knocked down Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, to reach WTA semifinal.

"I have only good things to take ,’ the 23 Grand Slam winner said in a brief post-match press conference. "I could play a lot better, that’s the most thing that I can take. It’s good to know I can play a lot, lot, lot better," Metro UK reported.

Rogers is preparing to return to the WTA top 100 next week. She missed most of the season in 2017 and 2018 due to a left knee injury.

Also Read: Aishwarya Pissay: First Ever Indian To Win A World Title In Motorsports

Another star tennis prodigy, 16-year-old Coco Gauff knocked down No. 8 seed Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. By doing so, she reached her second WTA semifinal, She has won 10 matches of the last 11 she has played.

'The biggest thing was mentality'

Talking about her winning streak, Gauff said, "I’m always going to fight, no matter what, and try my best, no matter the score."

"The biggest thing was mentality. Even though I wasn’t playing the way I would’ve liked, I think staying strong and positive definitely kept me in the match today," Gauff hailed.

World No. 53 Gauff is playing her first event since reaching the round of 16 at the Australian Open. Last October, she won her first WTA title and became the youngest to do so in the last 15 years. Nicole Vaidisova held the record of being the youngest WTA winner since 2004 when she won her first title.

Gauff will take on Jennifer Brady next, while Rogers will face off Jill Teichmann in the semi-final.

Feature Image Credit: The Guardian

Also Read: Australian Open: Venus Williams oldest Grand Slam semi finalist in 23 years

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