Venus Williams battles but exits in US Open first round

Venus Williams produced flashes of her vintage best under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, but the 45-year-old fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 to Karolina Muchova in a spirited US Open first-round clash.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, competing in a record-extending 25th main draw in New York, rolled back the years with a fighting performance that thrilled the partisan crowd.



Twice a US Open winner, in 2000 and 2001, Williams pushed the 11th-seeded Czech into a deciding set before ultimately bowing out after two hours of play.


Muchova, a semifinalist at Flushing Meadows the past two years, struck early with timely breaks to claim the opening set.


Williams responded with sharp net play and booming groundstrokes in the second, breaking serve twice for a 5-2 lead. She sealed the set on her third opportunity, marking her first set victory at the US Open since 2020.


The decider, however, tilted quickly toward the younger player. Muchova raised her intensity while Williams’ energy dipped, sweeping through the final set to advance.

"You guys make me stressed, it was an unbelievable atmosphere," Muchova admitted in her on-court interview. "She’s such a legend, so it’s nice to share the court with her. I’m happy I was able to win today."


For Williams, whose last US Open outing ended in a straight-set loss in 2023, the evening still carried moments of triumph. Every point she won drew thunderous applause, and she exited the court to a warm ovation, underlining her enduring bond with New York fans.