WTA Parma: Serena Williams does not get going - second round defeat against Katerina Siniakova
Serena Williams will travel to the French Open with just one clay court win in her luggage. The American lost to Katerina Siniakova in the second round of the WTA 250 tournament in Parma in straight sets.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 18, 2021, 05:27 pm
Single Grand Slam title number 24 has been the declared goal for what feels like an eternity for Serena Williams : At the French Open 2021, the American will also be about reaching the Margaret Court record, but the omens are likely as inconvenient as seldom before.
Because after their opening defeat at the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome, Williams also had to say goodbye early at the 250 event in Parma. After her success in the first round over Lisa Pigato, the world number eight had to admit defeat in round two to the Czech Katerina Siniakova 6: 7 (4) and 2: 6.
After an even set and a half, Siniakova won 15 points in a row from the middle of the second set to organize three consecutive match points. Williams fended off the first two, but with the third, a forehand of the 39-year-old landed behind the line.
Williams compatriot Cori Gauff fared better. The 17-year-old placed third won her first round game against Kaia Kanepi 7: 6 (6) and 7: 6 (7). The number two of the tournament, Petra Martic, also took her opening hurdle Varvara Gracheva in two sets. The German Anna-Lena Friedsam beat Viktorija Golubic 6: 4, 6: 7 (1) and 6: 2.