French Open Tennis: Obziler gives Venus Williams a good fight

Obziler gave Venus Williams a run for her money on Monday, but still came up short against the former world No. 1 in the first round of the French Open.

By ALLON SINAI
jp.services2 (photo credit: )
jp.services2
(photo credit: )
Tzipi Obziler gave Venus Williams a run for her money on Monday, but still came up short against the former world No. 1 in the first round of the French Open. Despite being a break up in the third and decisive set, the 35-year-old Israeli eventually lost 2-6, 6-3, 4-6 to the six time Grand Slam winner, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the world. "I played very well, especially in the second set," Obziler said. "This gives me a lot of motivation and hope for the future. I'm very happy with the support I received from the fans at the Phillippe Chatrier court." A break in the fifth game of the match was all Williams needed to claim the first set. The American raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set, but Obziler broke in the seventh and ninth games and quickly tied the match. The Israeli broke Williams in the first game of the third set, her sixth straight game, but the American soon regained control and sent Obziler packing. Dudi Sela also played on Monday, but persistent rain in the evening forced the postponement of his match against Victor Hanescu, with the Israeli leading 3-1 in the first set.