French Open - 'I can't believe it!' - Ball hits Serena Williams' racket in bizarre moment v Elena Rybakina
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Published 06/06/2021 at 17:35 GMT
Serena Williams' wait for her elusive 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after Elena Rybakina clinched a quite brilliant straight sets, 6-3 7-5, victory at the 2021 French Open. The American threw everything she could at her opponent, but she simply could not match Rybakina, who was inspired on Court Philippe Chatrier. There was a very unusual moment which perhaps showed that it wasn't her day.
'Wow, I can't believe it!' - Ball hits Serena's racket in bizarre moment
There was a truly bizarre moment during Serena Williams' fourth-round defeat against Elena Rybakina at the French Open.
Williams suffered a shock defeat as Rybakina produced the performance of her life to reach the quarter-finals in Paris.
The 21-year-old played an incredible match in front of the fans on Court Philippe Chatrier and would not be denied in a tense finale late in the second set.
But there was one moment that perhaps suggested it would not be Serena's day late in the second set at a crucial moment, as Eurosport's commentators explained.
"It's hit her racket! She's lost the point, even though the ball was going out!" exclaimed Chris Bradnam.
"She didn't know whether to go in or stay back, let it go, play it... wow!"
Annabel Croft added: "Oh my goodness, I don't think I've ever seen that!
That was so unlucky, wasn't it. She just gets caught out here, I can't believe it! It's just hit her racket!
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'How impressive is that?!' - Rybakina wins first set against Serena
Earlier, Rybakina had stamped her authority on the contest in commanding fashion by taking the opening set 6-3.
For Williams, the American's long wait for her elusive 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on.
The defeat will come as a huge disappointment for the 39-year-old, particularly given that the draw had opened up very nicely for her to succeed in Paris this year.
With Aryna Sabalenka having joined Ash Barty in leaving the tournament with a defeat on Friday morning, and with Naomi Osaka having withdrawn, the path appeared as clear as it ever could be for Williams.
But now it is Rybakina who can capitalise after she clinched her place in the last eight in Paris.
The 21st seed will be the favourite in her quarter-final clash against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who earlier in the day defeated Victoria Azarenka in three sets.
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Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th title and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph.
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