Erratic Serena Williams stunned by fellow American Madison Brengle at Auckland Classic
Top seed pays price for 88 unforced errors as opponent posts biggest win of career with 6-4 6-7(7-3) 6-4 second round victory
Serena Williams’ Australian Open preparation suffered a jolt with fellow American Madison Brengle stunning the world number two 6-4 6-7(7-3) 6-4 in the second round of the Auckland Classic on Wednesday.
Playing her first tournament since her semi-final loss at the US Open last September, Williams was left to rue the 88 unforced errors she made in the contest against an opponent 70 rungs lower in the WTA rankings.
“I really think I played - I’m trying to think of a word that’s not obscene - but that’s how I played,” she said after the loss less than two weeks before the year’s first grand slam at Melbourne Park.
“Eighty eight unforced errors is too much, just way too many. It’s a lot. I can’t expect to win hitting that many errors,” said the 35-year-old who had constant trouble with her ball toss in the swirling wind.
A surreal moment for Madison Brengle!
She just can't stop smiling! #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/zp67aLKuhh— WTA (@WTA) January 4, 2017
Brengle was trailing 1-4 before she staged a brilliant comeback to run away with the first set against the 22-time grand slam singles champion who had triumphed 6-0 6-1 in their only previous meeting in 2015.
Williams was a set and 4-3 down when she made a comeback of her own to clinch the tie-breaker and force the decider.