Venus crashes out in Madrid

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:32

Twenty-four hours after Serena Williams controversial departure from the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, elder sister Venus was packing her bags too after going down in three sets to Russian world No.26 Alisa Kleybanova.

Williams rallied briefly in the second set but couldnt find a way past the 19-year-old, losing 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in the second round of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier event.

It was not a good first set, just really flat, and that gave her the confidence that she had a chance, Williams said afterwards.

Despite the defeat, Venus was generally surprisingly upbeat, particularly about her clay court tennis this year having won the Acapulco event and making the semi-finals in Rome last week.

I think Im playing really well and Im moving well on the court and I feel good, she said. I have another tournament to play so Im focusing on playing positive there.

Younger sister Serena exited on Monday when she quit her first round match against Italian Francseca Schiavone with a knee injury after losing the first set 6-4.

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