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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday May 18, 2021

 
Katerina Siniakova

Katerina Siniakova handed Serena Williams a loss at Parma to end the American legend's clay-court pre-Roland Garros tuneup.

Photo Source: Marta Magni Images/MEF Tennis Events

Serena Williams’ trip to Emilia-Romagna came to an abrupt end on Tuesday as the legendary American was toppled out of the draw by Czech Katerina Siniakova, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Tennis Express

“I was really playing well,” said Siniakova, who notched her sixth Top 10 win. “I didn’t do a lot of mistakes, so I think she felt it and she was trying to go harder and she did quite a lot of mistakes, of course it helped me. I’m really happy I could keep my level all match.”

Willams, who lost her first match last week at Rome to Nadia Podoroska, came to Parma in search of clay-court form, and she did manage a first-round won on Monday against Italian qualifier Lisa Pigato, before falling to Siniakova to drop to 1-2 on clay this season and 9-3 in 2021.

Williams earned a set point in the opening set with Siniakova serving at 4-5, 30-40, but the 68th-ranked Czech saved it and, after the pair traded breaks in the final two games of the set, came through in a tiebreaker.

In the second set Siniakova pulled away, winning 15 consecutive points from 2-2 to earn match point with Williams serving at 2-5, 0-40. Williams won a few points to stay alive but could not save her third match point.

"It's amazing," said Siniakova. "It means a lot to me. I played an amazing match. I held on all the match and I am so happy I could finish it like this. It means a lot and it shows me that I can play like this, that I can play well - I just need to try and be more focused every time, to stay calm and ready for every point."

Gauff Strong Against Kanepi

American Coco Gauff kept up her fine form on the clay with a 7-6(6), 7-6(7) victory over Kaia Kanepi. The American gets a match with Italy’s Camila Giorgi next. Sara Errani (d. Bogdan), Viktorija Golubic (d. Friedsam) and Petra Martic (d. Gracheva) were also winners on Tuesday in Parma.

 

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