Danilovic makes epic comeback to knock out Venus Williams at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 18 : Olga Danilovic pulled off a stunning comeback from 4-0 down in the deciding set to beat Venus Williams 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 at the Australian Open on Sunday, knocking the American veteran out in the first round. 

Williams, 45, looked primed to win her first Grand Slam match since a first-round victory at Wimbledon in 2021 but Danilovic took six games in a row in the final set to book her spot in the second round.

Williams, a seven-times Grand Slam champion who returned to tennis last season after a 16-month break, received a wildcard to become the oldest woman ever to compete in the singles main draw on her return to the tournament after five years.

STANDING OVATION FOR WILLIAMS

Danilovic, 24, was not even born when Williams made her Australian Open main-draw debut in 1998 and the crowd at the John Cain Arena gave the beaming American a standing ovation as she walked on to the court.

"These things don't happen every day and playing against Venus Williams is something that I cannot take for granted, but there were a lot of nerves," Danilovic said in her on-court interview.

"On 4-0, I said to myself, 'Just play, just take everything out and just play point by point'. I'm very happy I managed to get this one but it was such a pleasure playing against such a legend."

Williams quickly capitalised on the crowd's energy, taking a 2-0 lead in the opener. But once Danilovic had composed herself with deep breaths, the left-handed Serbian began to trouble her opponent and broke back to level at 2-2.

VINTAGE VENUS

As the opening set went with serve, Williams showcased the vintage shots that once made her a feared player on tour, including a signature backhand winner down the line that had the crowd on their feet again.

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