Seven-times champion Serena Williams suffers dramatic exit from the Australian Open

Tennis - Australian Open - Third Round - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 24, 2020, Serena Williams of the U.S. during the match against China's Qiang Wang. [REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach]

Seven-times champion Serena Williams suffered a dramatic exit from the Australian Open on Friday, her earliest in 14 years, falling 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5 to China's Wang Qiang in a stunning third round upset that tore the women's tournament open.

Wang, who was thrashed 6-1 6-0 by Williams in the U.S. Open quarter-finals, savoured sweet revenge on Rod Laver Arena to end the American's bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, sending shockwaves through Melbourne Park.