PARIS- Venus Williams has suffered a humiliating third-round defeat by a 15-year-old Bulgarian Spice Girls fan as American fortunes withered at the French Open.
The former world number one's 6-3 1-6 6-1 loss to 98th-ranked Sesil Karantcheva left just two players from the United States in the singles draws, men
or women.
Only top seed Lindsay Davenport, who narrowly beat Virginie Razzano on Friday, and 85th-ranked Marissa Irvin are keeping the Stars and Stripes flying over Roland Garros.
"Basically just too many errors," Venus said. "Just wasn't good. Now I am ready to leave... there's nothing for me here now... wanna go."
Karantcheva, who attributes her grasp of the English language to "listening to the Spice Girls all the time", employed her own version of "Girl Power" to beat the twice Wimbledon and US Open champion in 84 minutes.
Venus, representing the Williams family alone in the French capital after sister Serena pulled out injured, has now failed to advance beyond the fourth round in her last four grand slams.
Irrepressible Spaniard Rafael Nadal stole the headlines in the men's draw when he won his much-vaunted battle of the teenagers against local favourite Richard Gasquet in breathtaking style.
A packed Parisian centre court were denied the classic they had hoped for when the 18-year-old Spaniard flexed his claycourt muscles to advance to the fourth round 6-4 6-3 6-2 in 109 minutes.
It was a performance of brutal artistry rooted metres behind the baseline and left fellow 18-year-old Gasquet - one of only two men to beat runaway world number one Roger Federer this year - out for the count.
"Pressure affected us both, and I think probably, with everything that has been said, he had more pressure than me," the fourth seed said.
"And I think I played really good today, no?"
The Spaniard next plays another Frenchman, Sebastien Grosjean.
"I know that... as time goes on in the tournament, the matches will get more difficult and I could lose at any time," Nadal said.
Nadal's one-sided scoreline -- a 20th straight victory on clay -- outshone top seed Federer's victory over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez and underlined his status as tournament favourite.
Federer, however, was more than satisfied with his 7-6 7-5 6-2 win.
"It's a job well done so far. I haven't lost a set," he smiled.
The Swiss Wimbledon and US Open champion plays former champion and former top-ranked player Carlos Moya who overcame Fernando Vicente 6-4 7-6 6-7 0-6 6-4 in three hours 51 minutes for a 12th straight victory against his fellow Spaniard.
"I'm number one...I've beaten everyone...why should I fear anyone?" Federer said. "I never said I didn't feel at ease on clay. I haven't lost a set yet...what's the problem?"
Davenport struggled in sweltering conditions, finally outlasting French darling Virginie Razzano to reach the fourth round of the claycourt grand slam.
The world number one limped home 7-5 4-6 6-4 to set up a fourth-round clash with twice French Open runner-up and former world number one Kim Clijsters who she has not beaten in their last six matches.
Once again Davenport, chasing the only grand slam to elude her, was forced to triumph the hard way, fighting back from 4-0 down in the first set and 3-0 down in the second.
"I'm pretty amazed I'm still in given how I feel I've been playing. Gives me a laugh, I guess... gets me happy," Davenport grinned.
Herself a former world number one, Clijsters' performance belied fears she is still hampered by a knee injury as she romped past Daniela Hantuchova 6-4 6-2.
The Belgian, runner-up here in 2001 and 2003, has lost just 10 games in her three matches.
"I'm working my way into my matches, and I'm winning them," Clijsters said. "I feel like every match is getting a little bit better. I haven't lost a set yet, so I'm not complaining.
"But I'll definitely have to still raise my game a lot more if I want to keep winning." The Belgian said her knee, which was again heavily taped, was feeling better.
"I think it's good," she smiled. "It's holding up during my matches but it's still not good enough to play without the tape, especially not on this surface yet."
- REUTERS
PARIS- Venus Williams has suffered a humiliating third-round defeat by a 15-year-old Bulgarian Spice Girls fan as American fortunes withered at the French Open.
The former world number one's 6-3 1-6 6-1 loss to 98th-ranked Sesil Karantcheva left just two players from the United States in the singles draws, men
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.