Venus Williams produced an excellent show on her singles return on Tuesday to knock out world No 35 Peyton Stearns in straight units on the Mudabala Citi DC Open.
In beating her fellow American 6-3 6-4, 45-year-old Williams notched her first singles victory in two years and have become the oldest WTA match-winner since Martina Navratilova, then 47, received her first-round match at Wimbledon in 2004.
Williams returned to the courtroom on Monday with a doubles victory with Hailey Baptiste and took that confidence into her singles motion.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion went down an early break in each units to Stearns, a giant favorite in Washington, however fought again with sometimes dogged defence and aggressive serving to triumph.
Williams will subsequent face Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech.
“I think I just attacked the whole time. It’s just trying to find the right balance between going too hard and not enough,” Williams, enjoying her first singles recreation of the yr, mentioned after the opening-round win.
“It is the identical as a result of that is what I do, however on the similar time, it was crucial for me to do it. Now I haven’t got to do that, however I’ve the identical fireplace and the identical wish to win.
“In some ways, I’m still getting back into that. When you do it every day, everything is natural. Not as natural feeling now, but I hope I can get back to that.”
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Venus Williams made a successful return to the game within the Mubadala Citi DC Open as she and Hailey Baptiste progressed within the Girls’s Doubles.
Williams has not confirmed her presence within the the rest of the North American laborious courtroom swing, however she’s going to doubtless have the ability to safe a wild card on the WTA 1000 occasions in Montreal and Cincinnati earlier than the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr on the US Open if she chooses to play.
“I think it was a big win for me today. Like I said, it’s not easy. It won’t be easy. It’s not easy for anyone out here,” Williams mentioned.
“So I know I’ll have to fight for every match, but I’m up for that.”
What’s the schedule for the Mubadala Citi DC Open?
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Discover out all of the methods to look at tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA excursions.
Qualifying: Saturday, 19 July and Sunday, 20 July
Major Draw: Monday, 21 July-Saturday, 26 July
Singles Finals: Sunday, 27 July
Who received the final editions of the Mubadala Citi DC Open in 2024?
Sebastian Korda defeated Flavio Cobolli in final yr’s remaining, successful 4-6 6-2 6-0. With the win, he grew to become the primary American man to win the Washington crown since Andy Roddick in 2007. He additionally matched his father, Petr Korda, who received the DC title in 1992.
Paula Badosa received the ladies’s title. Nonetheless, the world No 10 won’t be again to defend her 2024 crown after pulling out earlier this week as a consequence of a again harm.
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, in addition to the US Open in New York, dwell on Sky Sports activities in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this yr at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.
