VENUS WILLIAMS SUFFERED a stunning Wimbledon exit as the five-time champion became the latest star to crash out in a 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 8-6 defeat against Kiki Bertens on Friday.
The result sees Williams become the eighth of the top 10 seeds to be knocked out after a third-round defeat.
After reaching the final last year and the semi-finals in 2016, Williams was expected to mount another strong challenge for the Wimbledon title.
But instead the 38-year-old was worn down by Dutch 20th seed Bertens in a dramatic third round clash lasting two hours and 40 minutes in sweltering heat on Court One.
Bertens faces Czech seventh seed Karolina Pliskova or Romanian world number 28 Mihaela Buzarnescu for a place in the quarter-finals.
17 in a row.@serenawilliams extends her #Wimbledon winning streak in the ladies' singles as she defeats Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 7-6(2) in the third round pic.twitter.com/b4rwrerGjh
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2018
Meanwhile, Venus’ sister Serena booked her place in the fourth round of the tournament following a 7-5, 7-6(2) win over Kristina Mladenovic of France.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion didn’t drop a set as she progresses to the next stage.
Additional reporting by Sinéad Farrell
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