Sun Tiantian eclipses Serena at China Open
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-22 06:21

BEIJING (AFP) - Shambolic Serena Williams suffered the worst loss of her career, dropping a 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) opening match to 127th-ranked Tiantian Sun at the 585,000-dollar China Open.

Sun Tiantian celebrates her win over Serena Williams at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. [newsphoto]

Former world number one Williams couldn't have looked less interested in the proceedings on court as she all but sleep-walked through to the second-round loss. Wearing no jewelry, even her trademark scream had gone missing.

The defeat marked the lowest point on court for the seven-time Grand Slam winner since going full-time on the WTA in 1997.

In November 1995, 14-year-old Williams was beaten by 149th-ranked Annie Miller in qualifying rounds in Quebec.

Sun, the Olympic doubles champion, clocked China's third win from as many matches on the day, with Peng Shuai and Zheng Jie reaching the quarters.

Only a day before, Williams had joked about the power of the Chinese in tennis, warning the world to "look out for those Chinese".

Sun got the message: "I never expected this victory, it's a breakthrough for me -- not a miracle.

"My serve and returns worked well, they were the key for me. This win will surely give me more confidence."

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