Maya Joint became only the third Australian to defeat Serena Williams in a Grand Slam singles event when she toppled the American on Tuesday evening.
Joint, who has struggled to locate her best form throughout the year, defeated the 23-time major singles champion 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 on Centre Court.
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Before playing Joint, Serena’s last defeat on the Tour also came against an Australian player.
At the 2022 US Open, Alja Tomljanovic defeated Serena in the third round, bringing a temporary curtain down on the American’s career.
With Joint and Tomljanovic’s accomplishments noted, who was the first Australian player to beat Serena at a major?
Sam Stosur defeated Serena Williams twice at Grand Slam events
Sam Stosur, the former world number four, became the first Australian to defeat Serena at a Grand Slam when she defeated the American tennis legend on her way to the 2010 French Open final.
Stosur, seeded seventh, defeated Williams 6-2, 6-7, 8-6 in the quarter-finals – setting up a clash with Jelena Jankovic in the last four.
The Australian went on to beat Jankovic in straight sets, before losing to 17th seed Francesca Schiavone in the final.
A year later, Stosur again defeated the American star.
At the US Open, Stosur and Williams played each other in the final of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Stosur emerged victorious, comfortably defeating Serena 6-2, 6-3 inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I had one of my best days and I’m very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York,” said Stosur after winning her first major title.
“Ever since I started playing it was a dream of mine to be here one day.
“I don’t really know what to say. Serena, you are a fantastic player, great champion and have done wonders for our sport.”
Australian players who have beaten Serena Williams in a Grand Slam singles event
- Sam Stosur – Roland Garros 2010
- Sam Stosur – US Open 2011
- Alja Tomljanovic – US Open 2022
- Maya Joint – Wimbledon 2026
Samantha Stosur’s record against Serena Williams
Despite losing to Stosur twice at Grand Slam events, Serena ultimately dominated her match-up with the Australian.
Serena won eight of their 11 matches on the Tour, including in Miami, Montreal, and Cincinnati.
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The pair contested their first match at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Serena won the contest, beating Stosur 6-2, 6-0.
Six years later, the duo played their last match on the WTA Tour.
Again Serena emerged victorious, beating Stosur 7-6, 7-6 in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals.
“She was up in both of the breakers, I think it was just a great match, to be honest,” said Williams, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
| Tournament | Winner | Score |
| 2008 Beijing Olympics | Williams | 6-2, 6-0 |
| 2009 Sydney Open | Williams | 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 |
| 2009 Stanford Open | Stosur | 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 2010 Australian Open | Williams | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2010 Roland Garros | Stosur | 6-2, 6-7, 8-6 |
| 2011 Canadian Open | Williams | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2011 US Open | Stosur | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2012 Miami Open | Williams | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2012 Charleston Open | Williams | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2014 Canadian Open | Williams | 6-0, 6-2 |
| 2014 Cincinnati Open | Williams | 7-6, 7-6 |
“She served unbelievable, and I was like, I can’t lose serve because she’s just serving great.
“It was really intense.”
