The top seeds fell 6-3 6-4 to Czech pair Barbora Strycova and
Lucie Safarova, ending any hopes of claiming a third successive
Olympics doubles crown after they won gold in Beijing eight
years ago and again at London 2012.
The sisters won their first doubles gold in Sydney but a knee
injury prevented Serena from playing at Athens in 2004. They
have also won 14 women's doubles grand slam titles, to go along
with a combined tally of 29 major singles crowns.
After their loss, Serena was philosophical about the result and
preferred to focus on the success of one of the greatest ever
doubles pairings.
"I wouldn't stay it's devastating... we had a chance to compete
for our country, we did the best that we can. We had a blast out
there," Serena, 34, told reporters.
"We've had so many Olympic doubles golds, so many grand slam
championships. It's been unbelievable."
Both women have also won Olympic gold medals in singles play,
with Venus triumphing in Sydney and then Serena becoming
champion in London.
Earlier on Sunday, Serena crushed Australia's Daria Gavrilova
6-3 6-2 in her first round singles match, a day after Venus was
eliminated by Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens.
(Reporting by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Andrew Hay and John
O'Brien)
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