Serena Williams of the US reacts after missing a shot against Sofia Kenin of the US during their third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 1, 2019. (Photo: AP)

Serena Williams has been handed her earliest loss at a major in five years.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 6-2, 7-5 in the third round at Roland Garros by 20-year-old American Sofia Kenin.

The last time Williams was eliminated this quickly at a major came in 2014, when she lost in the second round at Roland Garros then the third round at Wimbledon.

Williams finished with 34 unforced errors, twice as many as Kenin.