Williams out after controversy

Two-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams suffered a shock second-round defeat to Croatia’s Karolina Sprem on Centre Court this evening.

The American number three lost both sets on the tie-break, going down 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6), but the match was not without controversy.

During the crucial second-set tie-break, at 2-1 to Williams, Sprem faulted on her first serve. But the rally continued and the crowd cheered what would have been a winning shot for Sprem.

Umpire Ted Watts also seemed to have been deceived, though, as he appeared to have missed the earlier call by the line judge and incorrectly announced a score of 2-2, rather than a second serve.

Bizarrely, neither player questioned the decision or swapped sides. Williams this time took the point, before a call, again incorrect, of 3-2 to the American was made.

The match then continued, with Sprem having picked up a phantom point.

However, by then the damage had been done.

Sprem – who took a set off Williams in the semi-final of the German Open in April and has shot up the rankings into the top 30 with a series of fine wins this year – stretched the number three seed all the way and broke through in the fifth and seventh games of a 52-minute first set.

She also surrendered her own service in between those games, but matched the two-time Wimbledon champion for power and accuracy – and certainly determination.

Williams broke back to level matters again at five all and went ahead on her own serve, but was stunned as Sprem superbly forced the tie-break, which she controlled with two early mini-breaks and captured the set to pose a genuine threat of a big shock.

The Croatian, 19, stuck to her task superbly despite enormous physical pressure and broke through again for a 3-1 lead in the second set.

She also had a point for a 5-2 lead which Williams saved in a succession of deuces.

And although breaking for 5-3, Sprem looked likely to crack under the pressure as Williams broke back in the next game and then twice held her serve to love to earn the tie-break.

The Croatian looked certain to take that as well when forcing three break points, but Sprem magnificently saved them all and then kept her head to take the controversial tie-break 8-6 – and the match.

It was Williams’ fifth defeat this year and the first time she has been knocked out before the final at Wimbledon in five years.

Williams admitted she was confused by the umpire's wrong call but did not dispute it because she was uncertain of the score.

“It was very confusing, yes,” she said. “Sometimes I do lose track of the score and I felt maybe I had lost track again.

“I thought I only remembered having one serve but I couldn’t be sure. I’m not an arguer, I let the umpires do their jobs pretty much and I didn’t want to lose my focus.”

The former champion did not use the blunder as an excuse for her defeat, paying tribute to her 19-year-old opponent.

“I don’t think one call makes a match,” she added. “I had some opportunities there.

“I did my best. I just think she played really and deserved the win.

“It’s not a barrel of laughs but I’ve had some great results at this tournament. I would love to have done better but it’s impossible to do it every year

“This is not my event, but I’ll be ready for the next one. I will figure what I did wrong and try not make the same mistake twice.”