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Williams' 5-7 7-6(5) 6-1 loss in the round of
16 was a big blow to her preparations for next week's U.S. Open,
where the 38-year-old is bidding for a record-equalling 24th
Grand Slam singles title.
It was a second exhausting three-setter in as many rounds for
Williams, who squandered the opportunity to close out the
contest on serve in the second set before her Greek opponent
launched a comeback.
"It was tough. I literally should have won that match. There was
no excuse," Williams, who at one point flung her racket into the
empty stands and also received a time violation, told reporters.
"I literally put myself in this situation. You know, it's like
dating a guy that you know sucks. That's literally what I keep
doing out here. It's like I have got to get rid of this guy. It
just makes no sense. It's frustrating."
"It was hard... I had so many opportunities to win and I have to
figure that one out, like how to start winning those matches
again."
Williams, whose match fitness had been questioned ahead of the
Open, said she was also struggling with cramps towards the end
of the match.
"I started cramping but shouldn't have been in that situation,"
she added.
"I don't think that helps mentally when it's like, you know the
match is over and you have won, and now your legs were already
tired and now they're even more tired."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by
Shailesh Kuber)
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