NEW YORK: A defiant Serena Williams bid an emotional good-bye to the US Open with a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic on Friday, in what may have been the last singles match of her glittering career.
Defeat has always been hard to swallow for the fiercely competitive Williams and no doubt the 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-1 loss to the 46th ranked Australian stung her to her core.
But after a joyous run into the third round there was no shame in a loss to the gritty Tomljanovic, allowing the 23-times Grand Slam winner to exit with dignity intact and head held high.
Her three matches, highlighted by a second-round win over world number two Anett Kontaveit, were a gift to her fans, the relentless never surrender attitude that made her tennis’ dominant player for over two decades on display right until the very final point.
Always up for a fight, the 40-year-old came out swinging, forcing Tomljanovic to go the distance. The Australian needed six match points to deliver the knockout punch and bring an end to an engrossing three-plus-hour slugfest.
Williams had signalled her intention to retire last month, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” but never confirming the US Open as her final event.
![]()
“It feels great to be here. I had a great day meeting everyone and I am very excited,” Bobb told FFCtv.
“I have always known Fulham to be a good club, with good players and a great stadium.”
Bobb sought insight from Norway teammate Sander Berge before the move to Craven Cottage.
“I spoke to Sander, my good friend, and I spoke to the manager and he explained what the system’s like and how the lads are and how the club is. He (Silva) seemed lovely, so it was an easy decision basically,” he said.
Fulham, who visit Manchester United on Sunday, are seventh in the Premier League.
Serena Williams falls in third round of US Open, retirement expected
Short Url
https://arab.news/bmfuh
Serena Williams falls in third round of US Open, retirement expected
Fulham sign Man City winger Oscar Bobb
- The 22-year-old has joined Marco Silva’s side on a five-and-a-half-year deal
- “It feels great to be here,” Bobb told FFCtv
LONDON: Fulham signed Norway winger Oscar Bobb from Manchester City for a reported fee of £27 million ($37 million) on Friday.
The 22-year-old has joined Marco Silva’s side on a five-and-a-half-year deal, which reportedly includes a 20 percent sell-on clause.
A graduate of City’s youth academy, Bobb had slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium after the arrival of Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in January.
“It feels great to be here. I had a great day meeting everyone and I am very excited,” Bobb told FFCtv.
“I have always known Fulham to be a good club, with good players and a great stadium.”
Bobb sought insight from Norway teammate Sander Berge before the move to Craven Cottage.
“I spoke to Sander, my good friend, and I spoke to the manager and he explained what the system’s like and how the lads are and how the club is. He (Silva) seemed lovely, so it was an easy decision basically,” he said.
Fulham, who visit Manchester United on Sunday, are seventh in the Premier League.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.