MADRID — Serena Williams was beaten in the Madrid Open semifinals, a short time after Maria Sharapova also lost.
Petra Kvitova defeated the top-ranked Williams 6-2, 6-4 Friday, while Svetlana Kuznetsova ousted Sharapova 6-2, 6-4.
The victory was Kvitova's first against Williams, a 19-time Grand Slam champion.
"I'm just exhausted today," said Williams, who had her serve broken six times. "But it's really good preparation for Roland Garros."
Earlier, Kuznetsova beat Sharapova for the first time in seven years, breaking her opponent's serve three times and saving the one break point she faced.
"I'm just happy to be in the final," said Kuznetsova, who had never before even reached the semifinals at the Madrid tournament.