Venus Williams made an inspiring comeback at the US Open after a year-long absence, even managing to win a set against 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova. In the end, the Czech tennis player overcame the resistance of the seven-time Grand Slam champion, closing the match at 2-1 (6:3, 2:6, 6:1) in just over two hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was the 45-year-old Venus Williams’ fourth straight first-round exit in New York, where she is a two-time singles champion.
Venus Williams started hesitantly and conceded an early break but quickly fought back. At 3:2, the American tennis player had a chance to break Karolina Muchova’s serve again, but she didn’t take it. The world’s number 13 Czech player was much more aggressive in the second half of the set, winning 6:3.
In the second set, the roles were reversed and Venus Williams dominated the court. The veteran made a break at the start of the set, then served very well and did not allow Karolina Muchova to make it difficult for her.
The Czech player responded appropriately in the decisive third set, when she quickly took a 5:1 lead and broke the resistance of her famous rival. In the second round, Karolina Muchova will play against the winner of the match between Sorana Cirstea and Solana Sierra.
The surprise of the evening was Hungarian Anna Bondar, who eliminated Elina Svitolina after 2-0 (6:2, 6:4). Dayana Yastremska also lost in the first round, defeated by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Cristina Bucsa, Kamilla Rakhimova, Daria Kasatkina, Maria Sakkari, Elsa Jacquemot, Magdalena Frеch, Zeynep Sоnmez, Peyton Stearns and Mirra Andreeva also аджанцед то the second round.
