Svitolina sends Venus Williams packing in first round of Roland Garros

Venus Williams' 22nd Roland Garros appearance ended in the first round at the hands of No. 9-seeded Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-3. It's the fifth time Williams has left Paris without a singles win.

With a 1-1 career record against Williams, the Ukrainian wasn't the obvious favorite. She has been dealing with a knee injury and was riding a four-match losing streak, but the 24-year-old is a two-time French Open quarterfinalist. Williams hasn't been that far in the Parisian draw since 2006.

"I didn't really think about my losing streak because I think all the matches that I played, except Madrid maybe, was close and I felt not too bad," Svitolina said.

The match seemed unpredictable as the two exchanged break after break, with Svitolina losing her serve four times and Williams losing it a whopping seven times. She also hit more than double Svitolina's unforced errors, but given their opposite game styles that's no surprise.

"I mean, when something is not working, you do try and change it," Williams said. "Maybe a few too many unforced errors today."

What is surprising is the 38-year-old's ranking. At No. 53, she's outside of the Top 50 for the first time since 2013. She looked like her seven-time Grand Slam champion self for a few games on Sunday, namely the first game of both sets.

But it was Svitolina who stepped up at 4-3 in the second set, striking down three winners before a Williams double-fault put her one game from the second round. She raced ahead 40-15 in the final game, only to squander both match points, but she wouldn't be denied on her third chance.

"I thought she played really well and took her opportunities," Williams said.

Svitolina will play her compatriot Kateryna Kozlova next.

"I know Kateryna for a long time," Svitolina said. "For me, the most important is that I am ready; I am feeling good on court; my movement is good; I'm mentally fresh, and that's what matters."