Svitolina stuns Serena in Rio
Originally published on 10/08/16 00:00
World No.20 Svitolina had never beaten Williams in four previous meetings, including in the fourth round at this year's Roland Garros, where she won just two games against the top seed.
However, in her first Olympic Games, the Ukrainian produced a nerveless performance to secure a 6-4 6-3 victory at the Barra Olympic Tennis Centre.
“It’s more special being at the Olympics because for me the Olympics is the most, it’s unreal. To win a gold medal in the Olympics would make it so special and if I can do it, it will make it unreal,” said Svitolina, who will face Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals.
Williams was bidding to become the first player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title after winning both singles and doubles at London 2012.
“It was a great opportunity but it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but at least I was able to make it to Rio; that was one of my goals,” said Williams.