Serena Williams crashes out of Aus Open

Hantuchova ousted the defending champion in straight sets in the third round.

Defending champion Serena Williams crashed out of the Australian Open on Friday in a straight sets third round loss to Slovakian 17th seed Daniela Hantuchova.

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The seven-time Grand Slam winner went down 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) to Hantuchova after failing to find her rhythm in a rain-interrupted match.

It was former world number five Hantuchova's first win over Williams in four attempts and sets up the 22-year-old for a fourth round meeting with Russian fourth seed Maria Sharapova.

Williams, the 13th seed who had faced pre-tournament jibes about her fitness, joins sister Venus in catching an early plane home from Melbourne Park.

Venus was knocked out in the first round.

The 24-year-old Serena saved three match points to take the second set to a tie break, only to lose the decider.