Venus falls as Serena squeaks through

MELBOURNE: Statuesque Venus Williams was sent crashing to earth at the Australian Open on Thursday, the seven-time grand slam champion's second-round defeat creating the first major shock of the 2009 tournament.

The sixth seed was felled by free-hitting Spanish newcomer Carla Suarez Navarro 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 under floodlights, hours after sister Serena had survived a tricky encounter to advance.

"She was super consistent and aggressive and just went for her shots," Venus acknowledged. "I think she just played really well.