Olympics 2016 tennis results and scores: Serena Williams eliminated from the Rio Olympics after stunning loss

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Serena Williams, ranked No. 1 in the world, was eliminated from the 2016 Rio Olympics in straight sets Tuesday, losing to Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, 6-4, 6-3. Williams was the favorite to win the gold medal in Rio after winning Wimbledon earlier this year. She struggled earlier in Rio, however, losing Sunday in the women’s doubles event with her partner and sister, Venus Williams.

On Tuesday, Williams saved two match points before batting a forehand long on the third. She left the court quickly while Svitolina celebrated.

“I didn’t really think about it. When I was 40-30 and I won finally the match, it was just a real feeling,” Svitolina said after the match. “It was just a relief for me because I didn’t expect even on that moment that I could win, and I think that helped me a lot to don’t expect a mistake from her and just fight and to be focused.”

For Svitolina, beating the world No. 1 in the Olympics made it even more special.

“Yes, because for me the Olympics is the most,” she explained. “It’s just unreal to win a gold medal in the Olympics, it’s so special. If I can do it, it’s gonna be unreal. It’s so emotional. I couldn’t believe it just happened. It’s just amazing that happened to me.”

Williams appeared out of sorts from the outset, going down a break in the second set after losing the first. She appeared to regain herself, tying the second set at 3-3, but then was broken on her next serve when she fired off five (!) double faults in one game. She promptly lost the next two games and the match.

For the match, Williams committed eight double faults and 37 unforced errors.

“You need to expect the unexpected,” Svitolina said of Williams’ double faults. “And, for me, it was taking the moment. I didn’t really think about it. I was trying to be focused because it can be two double faulted and one ace, so it’s tough to really think something different than next point.

“Yeah, I got the feeling (Williams could be injured), but I was trying to stop thinking about it just stay in the moment and play the ball, don’t play against Serena Williams and Olympic champion and so many grand slams. Just play the ball and go for it.”

Williams was the reigning Olympic gold medalist, beating Maria Sharapova, 6-0, 6-1, in London in 2012. She also had three gold medals in doubles with her sister from the 2012 games, 2008 in Beijing and 2000 in Sydney.

Svitolina, just 21 and ranked No. 20 in the world, scored the sixth win over a top-10 player of her career -- this no doubt the biggest given the opponent and the stage. Her best finish in a Grand Slam tournament was a quarterfinals berth at the 2015 French Open. She advances to face the world No. 14 Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the Olympic quarterfinals on Wednesday.