Tennis fans saddened by brutal scenes in Serena Williams farewell
Serena Williams made a hasty exit off court after crashing out of the first round of the Cincinnati Masters, following a brutal display from Emma Raducanu.
Britain's defending US Open champion looked sharp as she bundled the 23-time grand slam champion out, courtesy of a 6-4 6-0 victory.
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Williams briskly left the court after the 1-hour, 5-minute match against Raducanu, waving to the crowd as she exited.
Playing in what was her last match in Cincinnati, it was a sad farewell for Williams, who fell behind 1-4 against Raducanu in the opening set.
The 40-year-old champion gave fans hope after staging a first set fightback to peg it back to 4-5, before Raducanu sealed the opener with a ruthless service game to love.
Any thoughts of a Serena comeback were quickly extinguished by Raducanu in the second set as the defending US Open champion blew the American away.
A forehand into the net off her own serve summed up the display from Williams, who was in no mood to stick around for an on-court interview after being 'bagelled' by the Brit.
The brutal nature of Williams' Cincinnati farewell left fans shattered on social media.
Even the illustrious, indomitable Serena Williams can’t stem the tides of time but still can’t help feel sad watching Radacanu blow her away here #CincinnatiOpen
— Rishi (@Rishi_Persaud) August 17, 2022
ever since serena williams got rid of patrick mouratoglou she’s played horribly. so sad to see her go out this way
— 😈 (@la1diabla) August 17, 2022
No I’m sorry but bageling the Serena Williams during one of her last matches is just disrespectful 🥲 hopefully that will bring bad luck
— alex (@kinxside) August 17, 2022
It was a little bit sad the Serena’s reaction after the game. I mean, Emma was playing with a legend she admired and that was pretty disappointing
— julina_urrego (@JulinaUrrego) August 17, 2022
Serena is an absolute legend but unfortunately has been woefully out of shape since she returned back playing a few weeks ago. I know it's her last couple of tournaments before she retires but it's sad to see.
Raducanu whose had an awful season so far just beaten her 6-4, 6-0.— Pavvy G (@pavyg) August 17, 2022
Emma Raducanu easily beats Serena Williams 6-4, 6-0 to reach the 2nd round against Azarenka.
One tournament left for the 23 times Grand Slam champ. pic.twitter.com/Q2jZcp0z7H— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 17, 2022
This is sad, very sad for Serena Williams to end her career with performances like this. 😲 #CincyTennis
— wtaaddict (@wtaaddict) August 17, 2022
Sad watching Serena play like this. She got an awful draw this week hopefully she gets a more even match at the open
— Markicks (@Marco_Poloo23) August 17, 2022
Serena Williams fast approaching the end of her career
The Cincinnati event was the second US Open tune-up for Williams, and the next time she takes the court will be at Flushing Meadows.
Serena lost to Belinda Bencic in straight sets last week in Toronto.
A day before the announcement, Williams beat Nuria Parrizas-Diaz for her first match win since the 2021 French Open.
Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion, most recently in 2017 at the Australian Open, when she was pregnant with daughter Olympia.
The 40-year-old said wanting to expand her family was a big reason she plans to "evolve" away from tennis.
Earlier, four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka was eliminated by China's Shuai Zhang, 6-4, 7-5.
The tournament lost another big name in Coco Gauff, with the American retiring from her match against qualifier Marie Bouzkova with a left ankle injury.
Gauff had her ankle taped after the first set and dropped out after the first game of the second set.
Karolina Pliskova advanced with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Williams' older sister, Venus.
While Bencic fell to Sorana Cirstea, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
with agencies
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