“I told her it was an honor to play against you,”

“I told her it was an honor to play against you,” the 32-year-old Greta Arn said. “And she told me, ‘Oh, you are so sweet.’ I’m a big fan of hers. She’s the real No. 1.”

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)—Just before she walked on court, Greta Arn said she was looking forward to the “privilege” of playing her first match against Serena Williams. Some privilege.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion overpowered Arn 6-1, 6-1 in 59 minutes on Saturday for her 17th straight win at the Australian Open.

The mismatch was so great that the crowd was muted, rousing themselves only when Arn won her two games and when Williams completed her third-round victory. Arn double-faulted twice to end the match. As the players shook hands at the net, Williams looked briefly taken aback and smiled.