Against Shelby Rogers, Serena Williams suffers rare loss to player ranked outside top 100

Serena Williams crashed out of the Top Seed Open, the former world number one surprisingly beaten by world No 116 Shelby Rogers in the quarter-finals.

Williams – the top seed and 23-time grand slam champion – was ousted 1-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) by fellow American Rogers in Lexington on Friday.

The American remains positive about her performance in Lexington, despite the fact that she suffered a loss to a player ranked outside the top 100 for the first time in over eight years.

“I have only good things to take,” Williams told reporters after the match. “I can play a lot better.”

Stepping up her preparation ahead of this month’s US Open in New York, Williams overcame sister Venus in the last 16 on Thursday but the 38-year-old star was unable continue her run at the WTA International event.

Rogers – in her first meeting against Serena Williams – rallied from a set down in the all-American affair to earn a semi-final showdown with Jil Teichmann, who accounted for Cici Bellis 6-2 6-4.

Locked in a semifinal spot @Shelby_Rogers_ defeats the No.1 seed Williams, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).#TSOpen pic.twitter.com/eiMUVHlvWk

— wta (@WTA) August 14, 2020

“It was important for me going onto the court thinking I could win that match, and knowing I could take care of my service games,” Rogers said. “Because [Williams] has probably the best serve of all time, and when she wants to, she can win a point on her serve.”

Teenage sensation Coco Gauff, meanwhile, fought back from a set and a break down to top eighth seed Ons Jabeur 4-6 6-4 6-1.

Gauff trailed 6-4 4-2 but the 16-year-old American completed a thrilling comeback to reach her second WTA semi-final. The rising American improves to 9-2 lifetime in three-setters with her latest impressive triumph.

Second career WTA semifinal @Cocogauff fights back to defeat Jabeur, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.#TSOpen pic.twitter.com/l0IjQ0IdY4

— wta (@WTA) August 14, 2020

Awaiting Gauff in the final four is countrywoman Jennifer Brady, who eased past Marie Bouzkova 6-1 6-2. Brady, ranked 49, has dropped just eleven games through three rounds in Lexington.