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Serena Williams out of Australian Open after quarterfinal loss to Sloane Stephens

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loane Stephens of the US serves to compatriot Serena Williams during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

MELBOURNE, Australia – Serena Williams is out of the Australian Open after losing her quarterfinal match 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to 19-year-old American Sloane Stephens.

Williams appeared to hurt her lower back while attempting to pull up short of the net during the eighth game of the second set. She called for a trainer after the ninth game with the score 5-4 and on serve.

Stephens won the second set when Williams, serving slower than usual, was broken. Williams also had her service broken in the final game of the match.

At 2-1 and on the way to a changeover in the third set, Williams smashed her racket angrily on the court then threw it toward her chair.

Stephens will play defending champion Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals.

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