Serena Williams Stunned by Wang Qiang at the Australian Open 2020

Published 01/23/2020, 11:35 PM EST

World No.29 Wang Qiang outplays the No.8 seed Serena Williams to defeat her 6-4, 6-7(2-7), 7-5 in the third round of the Australian Open 2020 on Friday. In one of the major upset of the tournament, Wang took revenge of her US Open 2019 6-1, 6-0 defeat to Williams.

With this defeat, Williams’ quest for a 24th Grand Slam title ended with her earliest loss at the Australian Open since 2006. On the other hand, Qiang records her best record at a Grand Slam tournament as she reaches the fourth round of a major event for the first time.

🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨
In her 74th Grand Slam appearance, @SerenaWilliams falls to Qiang Wang in the third round at the #AusOpen . pic.twitter.com/evbItnpT8t
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 24, 2020

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Hard work pays 💪
Well done!#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RA3Vb7lt9h
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020

Wang broke Serena Williams once to secure the first set

In the second meeting between the two players, the opening set saw no break of serves till 4-4 as the two players managed to hold their serve. However, after recovering from a few breakpoints, Wang earned three break chances against Serena Williams as the American lost focus and got broken at love.

The Chinese showcased spectacular defence while serving for the set and earned two set points. Williams went too aggressive on the second serve and lost the first set 6-4 with an informed error.

Williams levelled back the match

Wang earned three break points and was a really big ask for the 23-time Grand Slam winner to climb her way out of this as she was broken with a winner from the Chinese at 3-2.

While serving for the match, Serena Williams denied to give up as she broke the 28-year-old for the first time in the match after hitting a winner in 20 shot rally. The set was forced to a tie-break as both the players held their serve respectively.

Williams forced the match to the decider as she secured the second set 7-6(7-2) in one hour and four minutes. The American certainly levelled up her game to come back in the match out of nowhere.

Wang sealed the match with the third set victory

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The deciding set saw no troubles on serves till 6-5 when Williams was broken while serving to stay in the match. The veteran saved two match points before the Chinese closed the set 7-5 and book a berth in the fourth round after a marathon 2 hours and 42 minutes match.

She will now see Ons Jabeur across the net from her in the fourth round. Jabeur defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the third round of the Australian Open 2020. With this victory, Jabeur reached her first Grand Slam second week.

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Starting off as a tennis author in 2018, Varun Khanna has gone on to contribute to EssentiallySports in various capacities. After setting up interviews with the likes of Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Alizé Cornet, and Noah Rubin, Varun is now part of all major ATP and WTA press conferences and has gone on to pen more than 1300 articles for EssentiallySports. He now heads the tennis and NBA division of the organization.

Serena Williams Stunned by Wang Qiang at the Australian Open 2020

Wang broke Serena Williams once to secure the first set

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Williams levelled back the match

Wang sealed the match with the third set victory