RIO DE JANEIRO _ Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock rolled to an upset victory in the mixed-double final Sunday, beating fellow Americans Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram 6-7 (3), 6-1, 10-7, denying Williams a chance to become the first five-time champion in Olympic tennis history.
Williams has won four gold medals since 2000 and another Sunday would have broken a tie with sister Serena.
After a back-and-forth first set that lasted 55 minutes, Mattek-Sands and Sock jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second set before Williams and Ram clawed back, thanks in part to Mattek-Sands, who suddenly lost her serve.
But they recovered to win the set when a Williams return sailed long, forcing a 10-point tiebreak they also won.
Mattek-Sands, known as much for her colorful hair and outfits as for her tennis, wore knee-high socks in the colors of the U.S. flag Sunday. When the match ended, she threw her racket in the air, embraced Sock and was then wrapped in a warm hug by Williams.
Williams, 36, who was also bidding to become the first player to win gold medals in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, came to Rio slowed by a virus and wasn't planning on playing mixed doubles. But after losing in the first round of the singles and doubles competitions, she teamed with Ram and entered the 16-team draw for the mixed competition
Ram, 32, who played at the University of Illinois, was supposed to be watching the Olympics on TV. But when defending men's doubles champions Bob and Mike Bryan pulled out, Ram was rushed to Rio a few days before the opening ceremony.
He was paired with Brian Baker in the doubles competition, losing in the second round.
