Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Venus loses, Serena gets scare at Aussie
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-17 09:05

MELBOURNE, Australia - Serena Williams consoled her sister, telling Venus to look at it this way: She gets to go home. A few hours later, Serena was almost ready herself to start packing for the long flight.

Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return against China's Li Na during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 16, 2006.
Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return against China's Li Na during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 16, 2006. [Reuters]
In danger of an early exit from the Australian Open, defending champion Serena Williams got a bit of a scare in the second set before dispatching 52nd-ranked Li Na of China.

Venus Williams had no such luck. The Wimbledon champion sprayed 65 unforced errors Monday in her 2-6, 6-0, 9-7 first-round loss to Bulgaria's Tszvetana Pironkova.

Serena didn't have it in her to watch the match — she said it made her too nervous. Between their matches, however, she offered Venus some comfort.

"I told her I was a bit envious that she gets to go home, so she could cheer up," Serena said. "She said 'You're not really envious' and I'm like, 'Nah' — she laughed at least," Serena added, laughing. "By no means am I envious. I was just trying to get her to cheer up, that's all. I don't want to go home."

Serena won 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-2 and maintained her record of never losing in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament.

After losing the tiebreaker in the second set, Serena was broken to open the third. With Li ripping forehand winners, Serena was two points from falling behind 2-0. Then the prospect of joining Venus on the sidelines sparked a resurgence.

"I just got angry that I was in the situation," Serena said.

Her victory meant Jennifer Capriati remains the only woman to lose in the first round of her title defense at the Australian Open. She won in 2002 and lost in the first round in '03.

Serena, on a 15-match winning streak at Melbourne Park after winning the title in 2003 and '05 and skipping the '04 tournament, will play Camille Pin in the next round.

Pironkova, an 18-year-old Bulgarian ranked No. 94 entering the tournament, will play American Laura Granville. She shrugged off her upset of Venus Williams, whom she idolized from matches on TV.

"It's just one match that I won," Pironkova said. "I don't think I should celebrate."
Page: 123



Best Reuters Sports Pictures on January 14
Best Reuters Sports Pictures on Jan. 11
Best Reuters Sports Pictures on Jan. 10
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Olympics to add oomph to Beijing economy

 

   
 

Personal savings hit record US$1.7 trillion

 

   
 

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks reported

 

   
 

Map bolsters America-discovery claim

 

   
 

Scientists take giant leap forward in 2005

 

   
 

New Orleans mayor says God mad at US

 

   
  Venus loses, Serena gets scare at Aussie
   
  Men looks at brighter side of Dakar Rally show
   
  Publicity boost for A1 Team China
   
  China downs South Africa 3-1 to lift trophy
   
  Venus slumps to first round Australian Open defeat
   
  Alphand and Coma win death-marred Dakar Rally
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Venus slumps to first round Australian Open defeat
   
Clijsters injury scare on eve of Australian Open
   
Federer, Hewitt could meet in Australian Open semifinals
   
Australian Open timing comes under fire
   
Safin, Nadal out of Australian Open
   
Serena Williams jumps to No. 2 in rankings
   
Serena Williams relishes seventh Slam win
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement