Thursday, March 28, 2024

Oops. Venus & Serena Bounced in First Round of Olympics Doubles Play

*Well dang, THAT wasn’t supposed to happen. The “that” we’re referring to Venus and Serena Williams losing for the first time in the Olympics in Rio on Sunday. Lucie Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová of the Czech Republic easily handled the Williams sisters from beginning to end, winning 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets.

Then to add to Venus’ woes, she was sent packing from the Rio Games tournament play in the first round on Saturday.

The loss by the top seeds ended any hopes of claiming a third successive Olympics doubles crown after they won gold in Beijing eight years ago and again at London 2012.

The sisters won their first doubles gold in Sydney but a knee injury prevented Serena from playing at Athens in 2004. They have also won 14 women’s doubles grand slam titles, to go along with a combined tally of 29 major singles crowns.

After losing, Serena preferred to focus on the overall success of the duo, rather than this one stunning defeat.

“I wouldn’t stay it’s devastating… we had a chance to compete for our country, we did the best that we can. We had a blast out there,” Serena, 34, told reporters.

“We’ve had so many Olympic doubles golds, so many grand slam championships. It’s been unbelievable.”

Both women have also won Olympic gold medals in singles play, with Venus triumphing in Sydney and then Serena becoming champion in London.

Earlier on Sunday, Serena crushed Australia’s Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-2 in her first round singles match, a day after Venus was eliminated by Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens.

 

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