23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams is maintaining an upbeat view ahead of the US Open despite suffering the heaviest loss of her career at the Silicon Valley Classic.
Williams, 36, was thrashed 6-1, 6-0, by Johanna Konta in the first round of the San Jose tournament on Tuesday. The lacklustre performance saw her hit 25 unforced errors to nine winners as well as seven double faults. Allowing a more confident Konta to seal victory after just 51 minutes of play.
“I know I can play a zillion times better so that kind of helps out, too.” Said Williams, who hasn’t won two or less games in a match since her 6-2, 6-0, loss to Simona Halep in 2014.
“I have so many things on my mind I don’t have time to be shocked about a loss that clearly wasn’t at my best right now.”
Heading into the North American hard court swing, there was a fresh hype surrounding Williams following her performance at Wimbledon. At the tournament she reached the final before losing in straight sets to Germany’s Angelique Kerber. Wimbledon was only Williams’ fourth tournament on the WTA Tour since returning to action after giving birth.
“When I was out there, was fighting. That’s the only thing I can say, I wasn’t just like giving it away and I was moving a lot better. So I’m just trying to take the positives out of it.” She reflected about the loss.
The defeat wasn’t all to do with Williams’ rocky performance. Konta seized her chances as she converted six out of nine break points as well as hitting 17 winners to only nine unforced errors. Posting her first ever win over the former world No.1.
“I think she played well in the second set,” Williams said. “I wasn’t sharp at all in the first set and I think she got confident and clearly ran away with it.”
Williams, who is currently ranked 26th in the world, now has a win-loss record of 11-4 this season. San Jose in her third American tournament this season. In March she made her comeback in Indian Wells by reaching the third round. Then at the Miami Open she fell in the first round to Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
“It’s difficult, I guess. It’s not I guess, for sure,” Williams commented about finding consistency on the tour again.
Konta will play Sofia Kenin in the second round of the Silicon Valley Classic. Meanwhile, Williams will be travelling to Canada later this week to prepare for the Rogers Cup, which gets underway on Monday. She has been given a wild card into the event.
Note: Quotes obtained via The Associated Press
