French Open 2014: Venus Williams loses in second round to Anna Schmiedlova


Venus Williams' poor run of form continued as she lost to Anna Schmiedlova in the French Open second round.

Just as world No 1 Serena was taking to Court Suzanne Lenglen to begin her second-round clash against Garbine Muguruza - which she subsequently lost in straight sets - Venus went down 2-6 6-3 6-4 on Philippe Chatrier.

The 33-year-old American had impressed in beating an even younger player, 17-year-old Belinda Bencic, in round one, and started in the same vein again.

But Schmiedlova, who lost to Heather Watson in the final of the Prague Open last weekend, showed excellent composure and impressive form to turn things around.

She wobbled a little at the end, missing two match points on Venus' serve, but the American could not take her chance to level at 5-5 and Schmiedlova clinched an emotional victory.

With Serena also losing, the Slovakian will face Muguruza in the third round.

Since losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2011, Venus has lost in the first or second round of every grand slam she has entered, bar the 2013 Australian Open, where she reached the third round.

Eugenie Bouchard looked in trouble down a set to big-hitting Julia Goerges, but the 18th seed recovered to win 2-6 6-2 6-1 and next meets Swede Johanna Larsson, who upset 12th seed Flavia Pennetta 5-7 6-4 6-2.