In another first-round shocker, three-time Olympic doubles gold medalists (and sisters) Venus and Serena Williams lost in straight sets to the Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova.
It is the siblings’ first Olympic loss together, having won gold as a pair at the Sydney 2000 Games, Beijing 2008 Games and London 2012 Games.
They lost key points in the first set, succumbing to the Czech pair 6-3. While the Williams sisters were able to match the Czechs almost point-for-point in the second set – even leading 4-3 after a controversial call – they couldn’t sustain the momentum.
Final score: 6-3, 6-4.
Venus crashed out of the singles competition in a tight three-set match against Belgian Kirsten Flipkens on Saturday evening. Afterward, it was revealed via her management that she was suffering from an illness.
Serena won her first round singles match earlier on Sunday.
Together, Venus, 36, and Serena, 34, have won 15 matches together across Olympic Games and Grand Slam tournaments. This marks their first loss.
