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Venus Williams was overcome with emotion following two separate injuries as she crashed in the second round of the Australian Open.
Williams, 40, was beaten 6-1, 6-0 by Italy’s Sara Errani, in a game that was nothing short of brave from the seven-time Grand Slam winner.
Williams in the second set could barely move after injuries to her right ankle and left knee forced her to continue and play the game rather than retire injured.
The seven-time major winner was leading 1-5 in the first set when she landed awkwardly on her ankle as she approached the net for a volley.
She fought back tears before receiving treatment on her ankle and then on her left knee, which troubled her as well.
Williams tried to keep going, hobbling between dots and hitting the second serves at around 100 km / h (62 mph). But she couldn’t threaten Errani, a quick defensive player who made Williams run with drop shots, volleys and lobs.
Williams, 40, was the oldest woman in the draw. She was making her 21st Australian Open appearance – the most active among active female players – and her 88th Grand Slam main draw appearance – tallest among Open-era women.
“I thought she would retire because she wasn’t running. She was walking poorly. … I worried about her more than thinking about how I should play,” said Errani, a Roland Garros finalist. 2012. “I was thinking, ‘Who knows? Maybe at some point she’ll say enough is enough. ‘ But instead, she kept going until the end. “
– with AP
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