Serena Williams was the heavy favorite heading into the 2013 Wimbledon tournament but the No. 1 tennis player’s hope for a 6th championship ended today at the hands of Sabine Lisicki.
Lisicki defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion today during the fourth round of the tournament. Lisicki won 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.
According to USA Today , Williams had won 34 consecutive matches. The reigning French Open champion has won 77 of her last 80 matches (now 81) and with the Wimbledon field already depleted she was already tasting Wimbledon glory.
But then she stepped onto the court with the 24-year-old German tennis star. Lisicki may not have a 34 match win streak but she does have an impressive steak against French Open Champions. Lisicki has defeated the French Open winner at Wimbledon for the last three (now four) years.
Before the match, Lisicki acknowledged that she was the underdog but said that she was using that as motivation.
Lisicki said : “Everybody’s a human being. I was in that situation last year when everybody was saying that Sharapova was the favourite. I’m probably going into that match being the underdog but I like that. I have nothing to lose.”
Williams has the undisputed best serve in women’s tennis but Lisicki is close behind.
Williams said : “I fell like she’s serving massive. I feel like she plays some of her best tennis on grass. She always pulls an upset. It will be a really tough match. I have to get really serious for this one.”
#Lisicki pulls off biggest upset of #Wimbledon women’s draw so far, beats #Serena 6-2 1-6 6-4 #ManicMonday pic.twitter.com/ii0LTr2u8z
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2013
After ousting the defending champion, Lisicki was giddy with excitement.
This isn’t the only upset at Wimbledon this year. Maria Sharapova has also been defeated at 2013 Wimbledon .
[Image Via Stuart Slavicky / Shutterstock.com ]