Venus Williams sets Australian Open record at age of 45 but falters with win in sight

Venus Williams sets Australian Open record at age of 45 but falters with win in sight

  • American becomes oldest singles player at tournament

  • Williams led 0-4 in deciding set before stumbling

Venus Williams set a record just by starting her first-round match at the Australian Open, a testament to her endurance and longevity at the highest level of tennis.

Up two service breaks at 4-0 in the third set on Sunday, she was within sight of victory too. But Olga Danilovic had other ideas, rallying to win six straight games and beat the American 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Williams served for just shy of 15 minutes in the penultimate game, determined to stay in the match before she finally succumbed to a third break point.

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