Paris: World number 18 and winner of 13 Grand Slam titles Serena Williams of US squandered a 5-1 lead in second set tie-breaker to crash out in the opening round of the French Open, here yesterday.

Williams was the major headlining casualty of the day and she lost to a player placed 111 on the world rankings Virginnie Razzano of France 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a match that lasted for three hours. This was her worst Grand Slam outing ever as for the first time in the history of tennis did she lose in the first round of a major event.

Williams who came into the tournament with a 17-0 winning streak on clay looked like she would ease past Razzano after she claimed the first set 4-6 and then in the second set took a lead of 5-1 in the tie breaker. She got within two points of victory for nine times, but Razanno held on to her ground and denied which looked quite inevitable.

It looked like French was on a mission and after winning the second six straight points to win the second set, she won five straight games in the third set to romp home and hand the former World number one Serena Williams her worst defeat at a Grand Slam.

Meanwhile Rafael Nadal of Spain started off his title defence at the Roland Garros with a comprehensive victory over  Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. Bolelli looked no match for the Spaniard who has his sight all set in record seventh French Open title.

Former women’s World number 1 Maria Sharapova scored a "double bagel" in her 6-0, 6-0 win over Alexandra Cadantu of Romania.

By Indian Sports News Network