Raymond eclipses Venus

Lisa Raymond caused the biggest upset of this year’s Australian Open so far with a stunning straight-sets victory over third seed Venus Williams (pictured).

Last year’s runner-up, who had looked rusty during the early rounds of her first competitive tournament in six months, was broken five times and made 44 unforced errors as Raymond ran out a 6-4 7-6 (7/5) winner.

Williams had not played a Tour event since losing the 2003 Wimbledon final to her sister, Serena, as she recovered from an abdominal strain and that lack of match sharpness proved costly.

Troubled by her serve, Williams could not penetrate Raymond with her usual power as the 30-year-old – a former doubles world number one – responded with a series of winning forehands and clinical volleys.

“I couldn’t ask anything more of myself today, I played an incredible match,” Raymond said.

“I knew I had to just go for it, it was the only way I was going to win and I didn’t let myself down so I am pretty happy right now.”

Raymond set the tempo early, breaking twice in succession, helped by four double-faults from Williams and the aggressive gameplan.

Williams pulled one break back but Raymond refused to be rattled and the 25th seed held her nerve to seal the set on her own serve after missing three previous set-points.

It was the first set Raymond had ever taken off the four-time Grand Slam champion and she was on her way to taking the second too with a break in the first game.

But with little to lose, Williams cranked up the pace of her first serve to almost 125mph and hit back before the pair exchanged breaks again to reach 3-3.

Williams’ aces count began to tot up – she finished with 14 – but she still made the mistake of playing to Raymond’s deadly forehand.

The rest of the set went with serve and into a tense tie-break, which Raymond sealed for her first victory over the elder Williams sister.