Wang Qiang upsets Venus Williams at French Open

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01:37

China's lowly-ranked Wang Qiang caused a major upset in the French Open as she overpowered former World No. 1 Venus Williams in straight sets in the opening round at Roland Garros on Sunday.

The 85th-ranked Wang’s emphatic 6-4, 7-5 victory meant that her American rival, the 9th seed at the event, bowed out in the first round in her 21st appearance at Roland Garros.

"I just wanted to play no mistakes – not too many mistakes – and if I get a chance (at a winner), I just go for it," said Wang, who entered the day with only six victories in 20 previous Grand Slam matches, after her dream first-round win. Incidentally, it was Williams who defeated Wang in last year’s French Open before downing her again at Wimbledon.

Those times, Wang said, she was "a little bit nervous," but on Sunday, "I think I have nothing to lose."

Venus Williams congratulates Wang Qiang after her victory in the women's singles at French Open. /VCG Photo

She has never been beyond the second round at a major but this time, she is optimistic about performing well in the next round.

Williams, 37, has now lost her opening match at two consecutive Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in her illustrious career as she had earlier made an equally abrupt exit at the Australian Open in January.

Her coach, David Witt, thinks the quick exit at the French Open on Sunday was because Williams did not do a good enough job of switching tactics on the red clay that has never been her best surface.

"The girl's weapon is her forehand, but Venus kept hitting second serves to her forehand. You've got to realize what's going on out there when you're losing. And you've got to change. She didn't change," Witt said.

After suffering one of the most crushing defeats in her entire career, a flabbergasted Williams could only say, "I mean, nobody plans on this."

(With input from AP)