As well as Ana Ivanovic played against Sam Stosur in the third round, few believed she could do something similar against one of the greatest players of all time.
Serena Williams is a five-time Australian Open champion and the world number one. But she was comprehensively outplayed today.
Even in the first set, which Williams won, Ivanovic played the better tennis. Jumping all over the second serve and attacking every point as if it was her last, Ivanovic showed the kind of form that took her to the 2008 French Open championship.
Since that triumph as a 20-year-old, Ivanovic has struggled to get anywhere near those lofty heights.
She failed to make a Grand Slam quarter final in 18 of the next 19 tournaments, and slipped from world number one to number 65 by July 2010.
Today though the Serbian was outstanding, and thoroughly deserved her victory. What made it even more impressive was she had to do it coming from behind. Only five players facing Williams in her long and distinguished career had lost the first set but still won the match.
Perhaps this is a sign that mental strength – clearly a weak point for Ivanovic in the past – is now at the forefront of her performances. Now 26, Ivanovic’s maturity might see her once again contending for Grand Slam titles.
For Williams this must come as a shock, even though she has battled a sore back for much of the first week of the tournament. But defeat spurs Williams on as much as victory. She hates losing as much as anyone who’s ever played the game. Her stare over the net in the dying stages of today’s match was a look to fear. You won’t be able to keep her down for long.
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