Coco Gauff, 15, knocks out defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka
Friday 24 January 2020 17:57, UK
Serena Williams branded herself "unprofessional" after her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open ended with a shock defeat.
When they met at the US Open last summer, China's Wang Qiang won just one game and 15 points, but it was a completely different story this time as the 27th seed claimed a 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 victory.
But Williams made 56 unforced errors compared to 20 for her opponent as she made her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years.
"I just made far too many errors to be a professional athlete today," the 38-year-old said. "If we were just honest with ourselves, it's all on my shoulders. I lost that match. It's not about the tournament, it's just like I can't play like that. I literally can't do that again. That's unprofessional. It's not cool."
I don't play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun.
The American admitted she thought she had done the hard work by winning the second set, saying: "I was optimistic I would be able to win. I thought, 'OK now finish this off'. I honestly didn't think I was going to lose that match."
Asked if defeats still sting as badly as they used to now she has so many other things in her life, Williams said: "I am just a better actress. I'm no happier than I was 10 years ago. But I just have to pretend I don't want to punch the wall, but in reality I do."
It was her earliest defeat at a hard-court grand slam since here in 2006, and will add fuel to those who believe a 24th title will remain elusive.
Williams is not one of those, and she will hold high hopes for Wimbledon and the US Open having reached the final at both events in 2018 and 2019.
"I definitely do believe or I wouldn't be on tour," she added. "I don't play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun. I seem to do well the last two Slams of the year. I have won them all several times. Each one is definitely an opportunity for me to go out there and win."
While the focus was on Williams, this was a special day for Wang, particularly given what happened in New York last summer.
"I'm really happy now," she said. "I always believed I can do this one day. I didn't know which day, but it's coming today. I did really hard work in the off-season, so it paid off."
Wang was coached for four years by Australian former doubles great Peter McNamara, who died from cancer last summer.
"I always dream about him," she said. "I think he can see what I play today. He will proud of me. I miss him."
American teenager Coco Gauff produced a performance for the ages to knock out defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka on Friday.
The 15-year-old has already made headlines around the world but none of her achievements so far could compare to this as she took apart one of the best players in the world on Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff showed just how far she has come since Osaka produced a complete performance to beat her for the loss of three games at the US Open as she completed a stunning 6-3 6-4 success in 67 minutes.
Gauff was stunned by her achievement, saying: "Two years ago I lost first round in juniors, and now I'm here. This is crazy.
"I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court.
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