Rio 2016: Svitolina in upset win over Serena Williams
Serena Williams, of the U.S., during her loss to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday. /AP-Yonhap
By Choi Ha-young
American tennis star Serena Williams’ Olympic dream was shattered after she lost 0-2 to Elina Svitolina from Ukraine in the women’s singles round of 16.
“Obviously I’m disappointed,” Williams said after her knockout.
Svitolina said her victory was something even she did not expect. Rio is her first Olympics. “It was just an unreal feeling, just a relief for me because I didn’t expect even in that moment that I could win,” Svitolina said.
Williams, who will leave Rio empty-handed, has won gold at three consecutive Olympics ― Sydney (2000), Beijing (2008) and London (2012).
This is the third unexpected result for tennis fans, following consecutive losses by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina defeated Djokovic in the opening round of the singles, Monday, and he lost to Brazilians in the first round of the doubles on Tuesday, with the score 0-2.