Photo: Stephen Bartholomew/IPS/REX/Shutterstock
Kenin, 20, beat the tennis legend in a 6-2, 7-5 upset.ESPNreports that the defeat marked Williams’ earliest loss at a major tournament in five years, since 2014’s Wimbledon.
“She played really well,” Williams, 37, said of Kenin, according to ESPN. “I feel like she, in that first set in particular, hit pretty much inches from the line. I hadn’t played anyone like that in a long time… She just played, literally, unbelievable. She really went out there today and did great.”
The 23-time Grand Slam winner has previously won the French Open on three occasions: in 2002, 2013 and 2015.
“It’s a lot of emotions,” Kenin said after the match, according to theNew York Times. “Serena is such a great player and a true champion.”
Kenin was born in Russia, but moved to the United States shortly after she was born. In the next round of the French Open, she’ll face Australian player Ashleigh Barty.
Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin.Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Williams beat Vitalia Diatchenko and Kurumi Nara in the first and second rounds of the tournament, respectively. Over the past year, she’s dealt withnumerous injuriesand had to withdraw from multiple tournaments, including the Miami Open.
“I am glad I came,” she said. “I love the city. I love the tournament. I really wanted to be here. I’m glad I came. But it’s just been a really grueling season for me.”
Tennis starNaomi Osaka, who beat Williams and picked up her first major title at the2018 U.S. Open, was also defeated in the third round of the French Open, losing to Czech player Katerina Siniakova.
Serena Williams.ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images
Sofia Kenin.Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Despite her loss, Williamsmade another fashion statementat this year’s tournament, one year after wearing the all-black catsuit that wasbannedfrom the tennis court in 2018.
Upon arrival to the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, the mother of one sported a jacket that read the words “Champion,” “Queen,” “Goddess” and “Mother” in French.
And for her matches, the tennis star wore a matching two-piece ensemble from a Nike collaboration with designer Virgil Abloh.
source: people.com
