The preparation of Serena Williams for the French Open, where she aimed to equal Margaret Court’s milestone was dented by another exit on a clay surface, with the top seed American losing to Katerina Siniakova in Parma on Tuesday.
Serena was defeated 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 by Siniakova in round two of the Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma. A disappointing early exit, which was predicted by bestaucasinosites online casino.
Serena had accepted a wildcard entry into the competition in Italy after another early defeat in her opening match at the Italian Open a week ago.
Serena, 39, has less than fourteen days to brush up her game on clay surface before the beginning of the French Open on May 30.
The American is not billed to compete in any other Tennis events before the French Open tournament, also known as Roland Garros, where the American will be chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title held by Margaret Court.
Serena has lost the last three Grand Slam finals she has participated in as she aims to equal Australian Margaret Court’s incredible 24 Grand Slam title milestone.
Williams could seek a late wildcard entry into next week’s event in Strasbourg, as she did with this Parma competition, to get in some more game practice.
Unless she does it, it will be hard for her to get into the right shape ahead of the French Open. She’s had a poor preparation ahead of Roland Garros.
In Serena’s opening match in Parma on Monday, she had comfortably dispatched teenage sensation Lisa Pigato but the 25-year-old Czech was indeed a trickier prospect.
The former world number one doubles player defeated Serena in a first-set tie-break before eventually winning 15 of the last 17 points in the second set of the game.
Despite starting the game pretty well, the American went on to produce seven double faults in the game while her opponent absorbed her nerve.
Siniakova said after the encounter, “I didn’t do a lot of mistakes, and I think she felt it,”
“I think she was trying to go harder and doing a lot of mistakes, which helped me. I’m really happy I could keep my level all match.
“It was a pleasure to share the court with her.”
Swiss star Roger Federer and Serena may boast 43 grand slam titles between them, but both suffered shocking defeats on Tuesday.
In Roger’s first game since he made his comeback from injury in March, the Swiss were beaten by Pablo Andújar on Tuesday at the Geneva Open.
With the Roland Garros 2021 set to start on the 30th of May, it’s hardly the right preparation for the second grand slam of the year, and pokies online are looking forward to it.
The 39-year-old Federer said after his 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 loss to world No. 75 Andújar that he’s not even thinking about winning the French Open as he continues his return to fitness after two knee surgeries last year.
The 20-time grand slam winner said: “I think when you played so little and you know where your level is at, and I think you saw that today, how can I think of winning the French Open?”.
“I’m just realistic that I know I will not win the French and whoever thought I would or could win it is wrong.
“Of course, crazier things might have happened, but I’m not so sure in the last 50 years at the French Open, somebody just rocked up at 40 years old, being out for a year and a half and just go on to just win everything straight.”