Serena Williams loses Generational Duel to Emma Raducanu in the first round

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Things are frustrating for 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams

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Jeff Dean/AP

Serena Williams was eliminated early from a tournament again.

At the Cincinnati Masters in Mason, Ohio, the 40-year-old lost 4-6, 0-6 to British Emma Raducanu.

The hard court tournament was the last chance to prepare under competitive conditions for the US Open, which begins on August 29 in New York City.

Serena Williams will probably end her career at the Grand Slam tournament, last week the 40-year-old announced her early retirement.

A day after her announcement, Williams lost in the second round to Belinda Bencic (2:6, 4:6) at the tournament in Toronto.

In Wimbledon, where the 23-time Grand Slam winner made her comeback after a year's tennis break, Williams was eliminated in the first round by Harmony Tan.

The poor form continued against Raducanu.

Williams made 19 slight mistakes in two sets, her opponent only one.

For the 19-year-old Raducanu it was the first duel with Williams.

“I can't believe I just played Serena Williams.

I think I'm really lucky that I was able to do that and that our careers have crossed even though the age difference is so big,” she said.

“I just knew how important each and every point was because if you slack off just a little bit, it will roll over you.

She's just a legend.” Williams didn't speak to the media after the game.

Last year, Raducanu surprisingly won the US Open as a qualifier.

She set a record for the fewest Grand Slam appearances before winning a title.

Raducanu hasn't fared so well since then, reaching only the second round at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year.

The world association WTA currently lists her as number 13 in the world.

In preparation for defending her title, Belarusian Wiktoryja Asaranka, currently 22nd in the world rankings, is waiting in the next round.

mrk/dpa