To be Serena’s Achilles heel
‘‘That’s disappointing on many levels, of course,’’ said John Isner, the 21st-seeded man who was beaten in four sets by 20-yearold American qualifier Sebastian Korda. ‘‘It’s disappointing personally for Serena, but it’s disappointing for the tournament and for tennis fans worldwide.’’
Williams’ departure, and the 10th-seeded Azarenka’s 6-2 6-2 dismissal by 161st-ranked Anna Karolina Schmiedlova meant none of the four female semifinalists at Flushing Meadows made it past the second round at Roland Garros.
Champion Naomi Osaka didn’t make the trip to France at all; No 21 seed Jennifer Brady was upset in her opening match by a 17-year-old qualifier.
The French Open’s start was postponed to September from May because of the coronavirus pandemic, and there were plenty of questions beforehand about what effects there would be from the quick and unusual shift from
North America to Europe, from hard courts to red clay.
It was in the third set of Williams’ semifinal against Azarenka at Flushing Meadows that Williams stretched her left Achilles while chasing a shot. Williams took a long pause, clutched at that leg and then took a medical timeout so a trainer could wrap it.
‘‘Didn’t have enough time to properly heal after the Open. I was able to get it somewhat better, but just looking long-term in this tournament, will I be able to get through enough matches? And so, for me, I don’t think I could,’’ Williams said yesterday.
‘‘I’m struggling to walk, so that’s kind of a telltale sign that I should try to recover.’’