Serena Williams' hot streak comes to an end
The 19- time grand slam champion had won a remarkable 27 matches on the bounce -- a run stretching back to October 2014 -- but struggled all day against her powerful opponent on the Madrid clay. It was also her first loss to Kvitova in five previous encounters. "I think she (Kvitova) just played well today," Williams later told reporters when asked to assess the match. "She went for broke on every serve, every return. I hit some second serves, 170, 175, and she just hit them for winners." But while magnanimous towards her opponent, Williams was also critical of her own display. "I was very slow off the mark. After my serve I wasn't moving as well as I should have. You know, I wasn't in it. "I wasn't Serena today. I think that was the main thing." Williams shock departure overshadowed another surprise defeat in the day's other semifinal, that of reigning Madrid champion Maria Sharopova. The World No. 3 was swept aside 6-2 6-4 by Svetla...