Serena crashes at soggy Wimbledon in nine-year low

LONDON: World number one and five-time champion Serena Williams crashed to her earliest defeat at Wimbledon for nine years on Saturday while Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova sailed smoothly through.

Williams, the top seed, lost her third round tie to French 25th seed Alize Cornet 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a Court One clash which had been held up for over four hours because of torrential rain which saw 45 matches wiped off the schedule.

Serena could have no complaints about an embarrassing defeat which continued a disappointing campaign for the 17-time Grand Slam champion, who has failed to get beyond the fourth round at any of the three majors so far this year.

It was her earliest exit from the All England Club since 2005 when she lost to fellow American Jill Craybas at the same stage.

Cornet, 24, goes on to face Canadian 13th seed Eugenie Bouchard on Monday in what will be her first appearance in the second week of Wimbledon at the eighth attempt and only her second career fourth round appearance at a Grand Slam.

Cornet, who had defeated Williams in Dubai earlier this year, celebrated by kissing the turf in jubilation.

In stark comparison, Nadal, Federer and Sharapova all secured fourth round spots playing under the Centre Court roof.