Serena stunned by Rybakina in French Open fourth round

TIL Desk Sports/ Serena Williams’s wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after the American was beaten 6-3, 7-5 by an inspired Elena Rybakina in the French Open fourth round on Sunday. From the moment the 21-year-old Rybakina, playing in only her seventh Grand Slam main draw, held her opening two service games without dropping a point, Williams looked in peril.

And so it proved as seventh seed Williams bowed out to add yet another twist to a wildly unpredictable women’s event. With so many big names having fallen, including Victoria Azarenka early in the day, a prospective quarter-final opponent for Williams, the path to the final looked enticing.

But Williams, whose last Grand Slam title came in 2017 at the Australian Open, was unable to find her A game. She remained philosophical in defeat, however, saying that her expectations coming into the tournament had not been high. “I’m in a much better place than when I got here,” the American told reporters.