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Rio Olympics 2016: Williams sisters crash out in first round of women’s doubles

Shock as favourites for gold are dumped out of Games as illness strikes Venus

Serena and Venus Williams wave goodbye after they were knocked out in the first round

THE WILLIAMS SISTERS lost their Olympic crown in a shock first round defeat.
Czech pair Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova dethroned the reigning champions 6-3 6-4 to complete a miserable Games for Venus.

Serena and Venus Williams wave goodbye after they were knocked out in the first round
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Serena and Venus Williams wave goodbye after they were knocked out in the first roundCredit: Reuters

The older Williams had already fallen at the first hurdle of the singles after suffering from a virus.
And she and Serena caught a cold against the Czechs.

Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova (R) and Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova celebrate
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Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova (R) and Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova celebrateCredit: Getty Images
It was agony for Venus Williams as she struggled with illness
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It was agony for Venus Williams as she struggled with illnessCredit: AP:Associated Press
Serena Williams was unable to prevent defeat for the gold medal favourites
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Serena Williams was unable to prevent defeat for the gold medal favouritesCredit: AP:Associated Press

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A comeback seemed possible when the Williams pair retrieved a second-set break.
But their Olympic reign, which goes all the way back to their win in Beijing in 2008, was cut short.
Serena still has hopes of defending her singles title after a straight sets win over Australia’s Daria Gavrilova earlier in the day.

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