Seven-time winner Serena Williams lost to Frenchwoman Harmony Tan in a late-night Centre Court epic on Tuesday, ending her chances of winning a third consecutive Wimbledon title.
Her return had been highly awaited a year after the American retired injured from what many assumed would be her final Wimbledon tournament, but 115th-ranked Tan shattered the plan with a nerve-wracking 7-5 1-6 7-6(7) victory.
The 40-year-old wins 9-7 in a 'super tiebreak' with the Centre Court roof closed for the final two sets.
A lack of match sharpness proved too much for Tan, who had never played a Wimbledon main draw match before. Because it's Serena Williams, she's a legend.
The 24-year-old Tan had only chalked up nine Tour wins in her career and none on grass compared to the 832 for former world number one Williams.
A succession of wild errors off the Williams racket handed Tan a 2-0 lead before she found some rhythm. Williams saved match point with a swing volley to get into a tiebreak, but it was Tan who won.
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