History will have to wait for Serena Williams.

The tennis great was shocked in a 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, loss to Roberta Vinci in the semifinal of the U.S. Open on Friday. Vinci was an extraordinary 300-1 underdog entering the match before she stifled Williams into 40 unforced errors.

Vinci called the win the greatest moment of her life afterward, before telling the New York City crowd, "Today is my day, sorry guys."

Many of those in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium were looking to see Williams get closer to tennis history, but were denied by Vinci's incredible play.

"She literally played out of her mind," Williams said of Vinci, who advanced to the U.S. Open final Saturday.

Had Williams won, she would have been one step closer to winning 22 Grand Slam titles and tying Steffi Graf's mark for most Grand Slam women's singles championships in the modern era. Williams is also three wins away from Margaret Court's 24 for the most victories all time.

In addition, Williams was trying to become the first player since 1988 to win a calendar-year Grand Slam, having won Wimbledon, the French Open and Australian Open earlier this year.

(Photo: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)