Serena Williams has been on an incredible roll since August of 2013, and it's especially impressive since she crossed the thirty year old threshold that often is a breaking point in professional tennis. However, her streak finally ended Saturday as Ana Ivanovic, the 14th seed defeated her in three sets.
ESPN:
-Serena Williams' long winning streak came to an end in a stunning fourth-round defeat to Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open on Sunday.Ivanovic hadn't won a set in her four previous matches against Williams, who had been a hot favorite to win a sixth Australian Open crown for her 18th Grand Slam title. Williams later admitted she'd been bothered by a back problem in practice in recent days and considered pulling out of the tournament. The No. 14-seeded Ivanovic set up the 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win by attacking the best serve in women's tennis. She frequently stood well inside the baseline to receive, she took big swipes on her forehand and generally put Williams off her rhythm.
--Williams hadn't lost a match since August, one of only four defeats in 2013, and came into the fourth round with 25 straight wins. It was her 70th match at Melbourne Park, a record in the Open era, and she'd already set the mark for most match wins ever at the Australian Open with her third-round victory.--
Williams has been almost perfect after winning the first set in Australian Open matches, losing only once in 52 previous matches after winning the opening set. That single previous defeat was against fellow American Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals last year.
Serena is an amazing player and one of the all time greats in women's tennis and I doubt her loss will stop her from winning a couple of Grand Slams in 2014.
