TheCable

Serena Williams won just two games and crashed to her heaviest defeat in 16 years, as she slumped 6-0, 6-2 to Romania’s Simona Halep on Wednesday at the WTA Finals.

The 18-time grand slam champion was a shadow of her dominant self and this defeat raised concerns over a knee injury that could dash her aspirations for the tournament .

The embarrassing loss ended a run of 16 straight victories at the year-ending tournament for the 2001, 2009, 2012 and 2013 champion.

“My forehand was off today again – I guess it went on an early vacation,” Williams said.

“Lord knows my serve was as well.  My serve was at best in the 10-and-under division in juniors.

“Actually embarrassing, I think describes the way I played. Yeah, very embarrassing.”

The 33-year-old had not been beaten so soundly since losing 6-1, 6-1 to Joannette Kruger in Oklahoma City in 1998.

“Oh, God no. I’m nowhere near 100 per cent,” she said, when asked about her injury.

“That has nothing to do with today’s match. I think Simona played really well and the best match of her career.”

Williams will now have to fight to reach the semi-finals in her final round robin match against Eugenia Bouchard on Thursday.

Halep, the first Romanian to qualify for the tournament since 1998, said she was now confident of reaching the last four after pulling off a psychologically important victory – her debut win over Williams, and her first against a world No.1.

“I think it was my best match in my life,” the world No.4 said.

After the second round of matches, Halep was top of Red Group with two wins, followed by Williams and Ana Ivanovic on one win and one loss, with Bouchard bottom.