Venus Williams produced flashes of vintage tennis under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights but fell 6–3, 2–6, 6–1 to Karolina Muchova in a compelling US Open first-round contest.
Making a record-extending 25th main-draw appearance in New York, the 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion started slowly as Muchova secured two timely breaks to pocket the opening set. Williams responded with trademark aggression, charging the net and striking through her groundstrokes to earn an early break in the second. A blistering backhand winner delivered a double break for 5–2, and she closed the set on her third set point when Muchova pushed a forehand long. It was Williams’ first set won at Flushing Meadows since 2020.
The decider swung back to the Czech. A two-time US Open semi-finalist, Muchova tightened her first-strike patterns and redirected pace to pull Williams around the court, racing through the set as the American’s energy dipped. After two hours on court, Muchova sealed progress while Williams departed to a warm ovation from a partisan crowd.
“You guys make me stressed, it was an unbelievable atmosphere,” Muchova said on court. “She is such a legend, so it was nice to share the court with her. I am happy I was able to win today.”
Williams, whose previous US Open appearance ended in a straight-sets defeat in 2023, left to thunderous applause, having reminded the night session why she remains one of the tournament’s enduring figures. Muchova advances to round two with her rhythm sharpened after navigating a stern early test.
