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Serena Williams lost in the 2016 U.S. Open semifinals on Thursday. Now fans are sounding off about the shocking upset. See Twitter reaction below.
Williams, the number one-ranked player in the world, was defeated by Karolina Pliskova, who was seeded 10th in the tournament. Both played fiercely to the point where it took a tiebreaker set to determine who would move on to the finals. Williams also had to play just one night after winning in the quarterfinals.
She appeared to be struggling with an injury, too. The disappointing loss comes just weeks after Williams was also unexpectedly beat at the Rio Olympics. And this is now also the second year in a row that the superstar athlete was knocked out of the U.S. Open during the semifinals.
Many on Twitter are noting that Williams will now lose her number one ranking, which she held for a record 186 weeks straight. Quite a few are expressing disappointment. And others are showing continued support.
@MViTradingSys tweeted, “Serena is yet another high seed to go down at the U.S. Open by crumbling in the tiebreak and is taken out, shockingly, in straight sets!” @eugeniatersol said, “Wow she moves #Serena to the #2 of the ranking…” @muddassirjourno posted, “Incredible. I can’t believe Serena isn’t the world number one anymore, but Kerber suits #1 status down to the ground. Fully deserved.”
“Jeez. Serena not being no. 1 is so so weird,” commented @Quey_Cee. @Marcissist remarked, “#tennistweet I shouldn’t be shocked that Serena lost, but I kinda am. Only 1 major for her this year, and Kerber is now #1.” @LynHarris argued, “Seriously, I don’t care about the number 1 ranking. I wanted the trophy. Kerber will always be second best to Serena …Or third .. Whatevah.”
@djmaster suggested, “Serena needs to ress up for d while. Rest that shoulder. Rest those legs. Think turnaround time ultimately undid her. She’ll be back for #23.” @ronabarbar also said, “That match was whack. Serena didn’t play well she seemed injured. She’s still our great champion. Congrats 2Karolina she was smoking @usopen.” And @mzemek observed, “A woman who is playing tennis just short of turning 35 has gone F, F, W, SF at the four majors… and it feels disappointing.”
Among Williams’ defenders was @ramonjonath, who posted on his page, “Serena was limping. She had a bad shoulder. And she almost reached her 4th slam final in a row. Let’s be real…” @AlphaMale4Lifee declared, “Serena Williams still the [G.O.A.T.].” @JackClassic similarly said, “It’s gon be hard for Serena to get these last 2 majors. The gap is closing fast. Regardless she’s the GOAT.”
@StevePacer exclaimed, “Win or lose, Serena will always be #1 to me!” Another loyal fan, @JFenc15 said, “I love watching Serena play win or lose! Forever my idol!!” And @king_schaune even warned, “There will be no Serena slandering on my TL!”
