While Serena Williams suffered a pair of surprising losses at majors in 2013, she had dominated the non-majors with a relentlessness unprecedented by her standards.  That trend continued at the start of 2014, when she won the Premier title in Brisbane by defeating archrival Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.  But 26th-ranked Frenchwoman Alize Cornet inflicted Serena’s first loss at a non-major since Cincinnati last August and first loss at a non-major to someone other than Azarenka since Cincinnati 2012.  The world No. 1 had won 73 consecutive matches between her loss to Angelique Kerber at that tournament and her shocking loss in a Dubai semifinal on Friday.

Key to Cornet’s success was her ability to protect her second serve.  Not an impressive server, she nevertheless managed to win all but five of her second-serve points despite Serena’s formidable return.  Cornet faced only one break point in her 6-4 6-4 victory, her first over a reigning No. 1.  While Serena did not play particularly poorly on serve, she struggled much more than Cornet in protecting her second serve.  She also earned fewer free points with her first serve than she sometimes does.

This setback should not ring too many alarm bells for the world No. 1.  Serena had returned this week from what appeared to be a significant back injury at the Australian Open.  It may have been unrealistic to expect her to jump back into her vintage form immediately.  Moreover, this tournament means virtually nothing to her reputation and serves largely as a springboard for the more prestigious events that do.

On the other hand, Cornet will have the opportunity to win her first Premier title and her first WTA title at any level on a hard court.  Her spirits must have soared to unfamiliar heights with this breakthrough, after which she will attempt to join a very select group of women.  Only a handful of champions have defeated the two Williams sisters in consecutive matches or at the same tournament, the task that now lies ahead of the Frenchwoman.

Once again impressive on serve today, Venus Williams survived longer in the Dubai draw than her younger sister did.  The former Dubai champion ousted a fellow former No. 1 in Caroline Wozniacki, dropping only five games in her semifinal.  Venus has not lost a set this week, finding the efficiency that she needs to conserve energy late in her career.  While she struck only two aces, she dominated behind her first serve and feasted on Wozniacki’s modest serve in her return games.  The Dane won fewer than half of the points behind her first serve, which negated the benefits of her strong first-serve percentage.

Venus now has reached the final at two of the three non-majors that she has played in 2014 and barely lost to a top-eight opponent at the third.  These results suggest a resurgence for the seven-time major champion from the United States, and they will offer the Williams household plenty of consolation during this dip in Serena’s form.