Serena Williams beaten 6-0, 6-2

Serena Williams, one of the game’s all-time greats, a winner of 18-grand slam singles crowns, 63 WTA titles; the owner of four Olympic gold medals, Williams has become accustomed to success.

But on Singapore’s purple indoor hard court on Wednesday, Simona Halep took her back 16 years to a time when, as a teenager, she was trying to make a name for herself, Reuters reports.

Halep’s 6-0 6-2 success in their Red Group clash at the WTA Finals was the worst defeat Williams had experienced since she was crushed 6-1 6-1 by Joannette Kruger in the quarter-finals at Oklahoma City in 1998.

Halep served well, pushed her opponent around the court and went for her shots, but Williams, by her own admission, was woeful.

“Yeah, my forehand was off today again. I guess it went on an early vacation,” a sombre and downbeat Williams told reporters.

“Lord knows my serve was as well. My serve, I don’t even know. My serve was at best in the 10 and under division in juniors.

“Yeah, it was actually embarrassing I think describes the way I played. Yeah, very embarrassing.”