Venus Williams makes history, becomes second-oldest woman ever to win a tour-level singles match
Venus Williams
turned back the clock in dramatic fashion at the DC Open on Tuesday night, defeating 23-year-old Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 to become the second-oldest woman in history to win a tour-level singles match.
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At 45, Williams trails only Martina Navratilova, who won a match at 47 in 2004, in the record books. This was her first singles victory in nearly two years, and her first official match win since August 2023 in Cincinnati.
The former world No. 1 had not played singles since March 2024, taking time off for surgery to remove uterine fibroids. Until this week, the WTA had her listed as 'inactive.'
But under the lights in the U.S. capital, backed by a roaring crowd, Williams reminded the tennis world of her championship pedigree.
She opened with a break of serve, hammering a return winner and sprinting forward for drop-shot replies. Her powerful groundstrokes and signature aces — clocked at 110+ mph — brought the stadium to its feet. The match ended with a 112 mph serve that Stearns returned into the net, sealing a landmark win.
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Despite some rust, including a shaky opening game where she was broken at love, Williams battled through missed match points before finally closing it out — smiling wide and celebrating with her trademark pirouette.
Poll
Do you think Venus Williams can continue her winning streak?
Yes, she's a champion.
No, age is a factor.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion will now face Poland's Magdalena Frech, the No. 5 seed, in the second round.
Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu ousted seventh seed Marta Kostyuk 7-6(4), 6-4 to set up a blockbuster clash with Naomi Osaka, who beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-5. In men's action, Cam Norrie upset No. 2 seed Lorenzo Musetti, and Ben Shelton advanced. No. 3 Holger Rune withdrew due to a back injury.
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