Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Venus Loses Round 1 at Wimbledon

Her earliest exit since 1997

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 25, 2012 9:15 AM CDT

(AP) – Five-time champion Venus Williams lost in the opening round of Wimbledon for the first time since 1997, falling 6-1, 6-3 to Elena Vesnina of Russia. Williams lost the first five games and then saved two set points before making it 5-1. But she was broken for the fourth time in the next game as Vesnina clinched the set with a forehand return winner.

Williams put up more of a fight in the second but was broken in the sixth game when she missed a forehand. Vesnina clinched the match with a service winner. Williams was making her 16th straight appearance at Wimbledon and had not lost in the first round since her debut.

Venus Williams returns a shot to Elena Vesnina of Russia during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.
Venus Williams returns a shot to Elena Vesnina of Russia during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Elena Vesnina returns a shot to Venus Williams during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.
Elena Vesnina returns a shot to Venus Williams during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Venus Williams tosses the ball to serve to Elena Vesnina at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.
Venus Williams tosses the ball to serve to Elena Vesnina at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Elena Vesnina returns a shot to Venus Williams during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.
Elena Vesnina returns a shot to Venus Williams during a first round women's singles match at Wimbledon, Monday, June 25, 2012.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
38%
18%
35%
9%
0%
0%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
wyle
Jun 25, 2012 11:03 AM CDT
Day is done, gone the sun
Rammrodd
Jun 25, 2012 10:04 AM CDT
Ka-boom! One buffalo down, one to go. YeeHaaaww!
chillette
Jun 25, 2012 10:01 AM CDT
Everyone loses their mojo sometimes

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
tennis • Wimbledon • Venus Williams • women's tennis • Elena Vesnina

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne