Serena loses to Tomljanovic at US Open; could be last match


Serena Williams on Saturday crashedout of the ongoing US Open after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic 5-7, 7-6, 1-6in women's singles third round.

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Serena Williams' dreams of a fairytale finish to her glittering career were left in ruins on Friday as the tennis icon was sent crashing out of the US Open by Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic

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The 40-year-old Williams -- who last month signalled she planned to retire after the Open -- was beaten 7-5, 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 by Tomljanovic in a gruelling 3-hour 5-minute battle.

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Williams, a sporting and cultural icon who amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her 27-year career, poured everything into one last stand in front of a ferociously partisan crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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But the veteran wilted visibly in the decisive third set, wearied by the demands of a heroic second set display that saw her level the match in a tie break.

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As Tomljanovic raced into a 5-1 lead in the third, Williams summoned every last drop of her fighting spirit to stave off defeat, saving five match points in a marathon seventh game before finally succumbing. oyment at a nearly 50-year low, employers are struggling to fill the gap

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Afterwards Williams saluted the crowd, welling up as Tina Turner's anthem "Simply the Best" belted out around the stands.

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