Kerber knocked out at Brisbane international, top 5 all lose as WTA 2017 begins

By Anuradha Santhanam
Modified Jan 05, 2017 14:05 GMT
SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 29: Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland serves in her singles semi-final match against Angelique Kerber of Germany during day 7 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore at Singapore Sports Hub on October 29, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Serena Williams

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 04: Serena Williams of USA changes her racquet during her match against Madison Brengle of USA on day three of the ASB Classic on January 4, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Having struggled with injuries off and on during the 2016 season, a well-rested Serena Williams looked to make a comeback in the new season and regain her top spot – which she can still do by the Australian Open.

But the younger Williams sister, the top seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, lost out in the second round to compatriot Madison Brengle in the second round of the tournament. 72nd ranked Brengle joked about Williams “thinking [I] was rubbish” during the course of the match but would go on to beat her after taking the pair’s second set to tiebreak.

Brengle eventually lost out to Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals.

Madison Brengle bt Serena Williams 6-4, 7-6, 6-4

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