US Open: Serena Williams Beaten By Ajla Tomljanovic After Three-set Epic

Serena Williams saw her US Open dreams shattered in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic in what is expected to be her final competitive tennis match.

Williams' performances against Danka Kovinic and Anett Kontaveit had given hope to the tens of thousands who have flocked to Flushing Meadows hoping her swansong could have a fairy-tale ending.

But, despite a memorable second-set fightback in a raucous atmosphere, there will be no record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

The gritty Tomljanovic needed six match points to deliver the knockout punch and bring an end to an engrossing three-plus-hour slugfest, winning 7-5 6-7 (7-4) 6-1.