Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro has caused a major upset on day four of Australian Open 2009, ousting women’s sixth seed Venus Williams in three sets, 2-6 6-3 7-5.
In only her fourth Grand Slam main draw appearance, Suarez Navarro displayed gutsy determination, coming back from a set down to take the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
Williams, who was runner-up in the 2003 Open, broke the Spaniard’s serve twice in the first set, setting her up to take it out comfortably 6-2 in just 29 minutes.
Not intimidated by the seven-time singles Grand Slam champion, the 20-year-old Spaniard stepped up a level in the second set, showing greater tactical variety and matching Williams’ powerful baseline groundstrokes. Combined with some well-placed backhands, Suarez Navarro ran away to a 4-1 lead before the American clawed back to 4-3.
An undeterred Suarez Navarro once again broke Williams’ serve en route to creating two set points. Williams sent a return long over the baseline to give Suarez Navarro the second set.
Suarez Navarro made a number of unforced errors in the decider, giving Williams a 5-2 lead. However, determined to fight till the end, the Spanish player managed to break Williams’ serve and went on to lead the set 6-5 after a succession of great forehands.
Serving for the match in the 12th game, Suarez Navarro produced a forehand winner and nailed a number of pressure serves to take out the match.
The Rod Laver Arena crowd acknowledged the Spaniard’s extraordinary performance by giving her a standing ovation.
Commenting on her opponent’s performance after the match, Williams said: “I think she took her opportunities and really showed a lot of character.”
Williams admitted she was on the back foot in the deciding set.
“I wasn’t in control of the points,” she said.
“I definitely noticed that she kept getting the first shot. I was definitely playing defense. I’m used to dictating the points a little it more. It was kind of a pattern that wasn’t best for me.”
Suarez Navarro now progresses to the third round, where she’ll meet compatriot Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Quick facts
Williams had 37 unforced errors to Suarez Navarro’s 32
Williams won 89 points to Suarez Navarro’s 88 for the match
Suarez Navarro’s fastest first serve was 159km/h; Williams’ was 192km/h
Williams served three double faults in the final set
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