French Open 2012 Scores: Unexpected Loss Casts Doubt on Serena Williams' Future

There were blown leads, arguments with officials and a quick burst of tears during Tuesday's first-round match between Serena Williams and Frenchwoman Virginnie Razzano at the 2012 French Open. 

By the time the three-hour, three-minute match was over, however, Williams had suffered one of the biggest upsets in women's Grand Slam history while casting a cloud of doubt over the future of one of the sport's all-time greats.

Razzano overcame a 6-4 first set defeat to rattle triumphs in each of the next two sets, including a comeback from a 5-1 deficit in the second set tie break to extend the match to the third set. Once there, Razzano took control of a rattled Williams, who broke down in tears in between the second and third sets. 

The final scoreline ended 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in favor of Razzano, the 111th ranked women's player in the world. 

Williams, winner of 13 grand slams during her decorated tennis career, had fallen in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time since beginning Grand Slams as a professional in 1998. Her record previously is first rounds of Grand Slams was a sparkling 46-0. 

She was also considered one of the heavy favorites coming into the 2012 French Open, especially when looking at her 27-2 record to start 2012 and an undefeated mark on the clay surface this year. 

Last week in at the WTA Rome, Williams pulled out in the semifinals.

Things began to unravel when the emotional Williams disagreed with a call from an old foe. 

A brief argument during the second set ensued with umpire Eva Asderaki—who famously battled with Williams during the 2011 US Open—eventually kick-starting Williams' slide from that point on. After the exchange, Williams was a different player—with Razzano taking advantage at every turn. 

According to Yahoo!'s Chris Chase, Williams lost 22 of the next 24 points. That hole was too much to dig out from, even during Williams' semi-inspired comeback from 5-0 down in the third set. Her last backhand sailed long and Razzano had completed her mega upset.

Throughout the match, Williams struggled to keep the ball in play. In all, Williams tallied 47 unforced errors.

"I tried, I kept going for my shots, which worked for me in the past, but it didn't work out today," Williams told ESPN's Joanne C. Gurstner. "I just made too many errors today. That's not the way I have been playing. It's life."

One of the more surprising losses in women's Grand Slam history could cast doubt about whether Williams will ever regain her status as one of the world's best players. Currently 30 years old, Williams hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2010 Wimbledon. She came in second at the 2011 US Open. 

Her current WTA ranking is No. 5 overall player.

Williams can remain competitive in the sport down the road, but the thinking that the former No. 1 overall player in the world will ever be a true competitor for another Grand Slam win might be getting more and more far-fetched. 

Almost two years removed from her last Grand Slam, Williams may be facing the harsh reality that the game is starting to pass her by.