World number one Serena Williams fell apart at the WTA Tour’s Family Circle Cup on Tuesday, losing her opening match in straight sets to world number 78 Jana Cepelova.
The 20-year-old Slovakian Cepelova shocked defending champion Williams 6-4, 6-4 in a second-round match at the clay court tournament in Charleston.
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The 17-time Grand Slam winner Williams complained about being mentally fatigued after the 84 minute contest.
“I am really just dead,” said the 32-year-old. “I need some weeks off where I don’t think about tennis and can kind of regroup. I’ve had a long couple of years.”
Williams, who won this event in 2013, 2012 and 2008, also had her 15-match tour win streak snapped. source
Williams was fresh off winning her sixth Miami title and 59th singles crown after beating world No. 2 Li Na, of China, on the weekend.
“I actually made the turnaround really good,” Williams said. “Obviously things didn’t go great out there.”
Unseeded Cepelova, who appears to be headed for a breakout year, was facing Williams for the first time. Cepelova won 55 percent of her first serves and 71 of 136 total points.