Williams loses golden oldie clash in final Australian Open warm-up
AFP | Hobart
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Ve nus Williams was dumped out of the Hobart International in straight sets by Tatjana Maria yesterday to dent her Australian Open preparations in a historic clash between two players with a combined age of 83.
It was the second consecutive tournament in which the 45-year-old Williams had crashed at the first hurdle after last week’s Auckland Classic.
She survived 87 minutes in Hobart against German world number 42 Maria, who is 38, before slumping 6-4, 6-3, having gamely saved six of nine break points.
The first meeting between the pair set a new record for the highest combined age for a main draw match since the WTA Tour was founded in 1973.
Maria said her daughters Charlotte, 12, and Cecilia, four, were probably cheering for Williams, one of their favourite players.
“Everybody loves Venus. I love her too,” said Maria.
“For me, to play her was such an honour because I never played her before. It was not easy with all the wind but it was amazing.”
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