No excuses for Venus Williams

Six-time grand slam champion US tennis sensation Venus Williams gave no excuses of her straight set quarter-final loss, as her Australian Open title hopes dashed when she lost 6-7 4-6, to fourth seed Serbian lass Ana Ivanovic in the last eight stage at Melbourne on Wednesday.

This is the first time when the Serbian got the better of the American, as the 2003 runner-up had not even dropped a set in four previous meetings with Ivanovic. Wimbledon champion Williams had a heavy tape-strapping on her left thigh while playing but said that had not been a decisive factor.

This is truly a surprising rarity at this year's Australian Open as for the first time since 2002, the pillars of women’s tennis Venus and Serena Williams alongwith world No.1 Justine Henin will not be in the last four.

"I don't like that tape, I don't like wearing it," Venus told reporters at the post match conference.

However, she feels that it helped her to not get worse further. “But I can't put blame on my loss on that. As far as I think that she just played some good tennis,” said Williams.

Setting aside her injury problems Williams clearly said, "I never talk about my injuries. I don't like to blur up things, if I was injured or not. For

Meanwhile she also admitted that her feet movement was not up to her high standards, but she still had chances after the Serbian was trailing 0-3 in the second set but Ivanovic struck back hard to win six of the next seven games to turn the match 6-4 in her favour.

"I think she's definitely improved on everything in her game," American said.

"That's really what it matters at this level. You want to keep improving and playing, because everyone is improving."

"There's been a lot of talk each year. As far as I think what's important to me is what goes on in my head. I've been a champion," she said.

"I have full expectations and aspirations to continue to play quality tennis and to continue to be a champion."