Serena Williams suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years on Friday, falling to China’s Wang Qiang in a stunning third round reversal that left her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title in tatters once again.

Having conceded one game to Wang in a US Open trouncing four months ago, Serena staggered to an error-strewn 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7 defeat at Rod Laver Arena that sent shockwaves through Melbourne Park and tore open the women’s draw.

It was the American’s earliest exit from the year’s first Grand Slam since her 2006 title defence was ended by Daniela Hantuchova. Doubts about her hopes of matching Margaret Court’s Grand Slam haul have resurfaced.

Serena has recovered from her share of Grand Slam setbacks, but this one left an especially bitter taste.

“It’s all on my shoulders,” the 38-year-old said ruefully. “I just made far too many errors to be a professional athlete today,” she said. “I definitely do believe or I wouldn’t be on Tour,” added Serena when asked if she thinks she can still reach Australian Margaret Court's 24 Slams record “I don’t play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun.

“She served well, I didn’t return like Serena,” said Serena, seeded eighth in Melbourne but who was the strong favourite.

“Like I said, it’s not about the tournament, it’s just like I can’t play like that. I literally can’t do that again. That's unprofessional. It's not cool.”

Serena stressed that defeat was “not the end of the world”, but admitted that she was angry and hurting inside. “I am just a better actress, as I always say now,” she said. “I’m no happier than I was 10 years ago, but I just have to pretend like I don’t want to punch the wall, but in reality, I do.”

A day before the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, the 27th-seeded Wang played the match of her life, soaking up huge pressure to land the biggest scalp of her career.

Last year, Wang knocked World No. 1 Ash Barty out of the US Open fourth round, a few months after mourning the death of her longtime coach Peter McNamara. “I think he should see me playing today. He will be proud of me,” the 28-year-old said.

Margaret unsure

Court meanwhile said she was unsure whether Serena can surpass her record tally of 24 Grand Slam titles.

Asked if she expects Serena to catch and pass her record, Court told the Herald Sun: “I don’t know… She may equal it but she’s still got to pass it. It’s an ask.”