Losing is no fun, says Venus Williams

World No 6 Venus Williams crashes out, making it her 10th failed attempt at winning the Australian Open

A dejected Venus Williams after losing to Carla Suarez Navarro in their second-round match on Day Four of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. The sixth seed lost 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. pics/AFP, ap

World No 6 Venus Williams crashes out, making it her 10th failed attempt at winning the Australian Open

Venus Williams slumped to a shock loss in the Australian Open second round yesterday.

Sixth seed Venus' exit at the hands of Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro was the biggest upset so far at the season-opening Grand Slam.

It blows open a women's draw already weakened by the injury-enforced absence of defending champion Maria Sharapova.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion went down to Suarez Navarro 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a two hour 14 minute marathon after squandering match point in the third set.

No jinx
She has now failed to win an Australian Open in 10 attempts but rejected talk she was jinxed at the tournament, preferring instead to lick her wounds and concentrate on her doubles campaign at Melbourne Park.

"Losing's never the best fun, to say the least, but fortunately I've also had a lot of nice wins, too, so hopefully that will balance it out," the 28-year-old said.