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Serena Williams makes a forehand return during her second round loss to compatriot Madison Brengle. Photo: AP

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.

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.

Injury forces ‘old’ Venus Williams out of Auckland Classic due to injury

The third set went on serve until the 10th game when Brengle held two match points, only for Williams to fight off both and slump in relief when she hit a crosscourt forehand to get back to deuce.

Brengle strode confidently across court, secured her third match point and stared in disbelief as Williams double-faulted to hand her the biggest victory of her career.

“I’ve never returned like that in my life. It’s a little frustrating, especially since I worked so hard in the off-season, but at least the conditions won’t be like this in Melbourne,” Williams said.

“She obviously did a much better job than I did. I really abhorred the conditions. I don’t think I’ve ever hit 88 errors in my career. I could google that and that’s probably accurate. So there’s no need to look back on such a crappy game.”

Serena Williams shakes off rust for comeback win at Auckland Classic

Brengle meets seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko in the quarter-finals.

“Honestly I don’t know [how I won],” the 26-year-old American said. “It’s so cool. It’s what you dream about, playing the best in the world.”

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Williams’ wipeout in the wind at Auckland Classic
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